Town-Crier Newspaper March 4, 2011

CHAMBER TASK FORCE TALKS ‘BUY LOCAL’ SEE STORY, PAGE 3

COUNTY STRENGTHENS PET STORE RULES SEE STORY, PAGE 7

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TOWN - CR IER WELLINGTON • ROYAL PALM BEACH • LOXAHATCHEE • THE ACREAGE

Your Community Newspaper

Volume 32, Number 9 March 4 - March 10, 2011

RPB Task Force Weighs Benefits Of Putting Homes On Plant Site

INSIDE Town Hires Lawyer, But Will Pursue Talks With Callery-Judge

Loxahatchee Groves T own Council members decided Tuesday to continue talks with Callery-Judge Grove over its challenges to the town’s comprehensive plan, but also directed the town attorney to retain an outside law firm specializing in land-use issues.

Page 3

Students from Wellington and Palm Beach Central high schools gear up for the March 25 event.

PHOTO BY LAUREN MIRÓ/T OWN-CRIER

Lusitano Collection Horse Auction Returns To The Brandon Center

The annual Lusitano Collection International Horse Auction was held Saturday, Feb. 26 at the Jim Brandon Equestrian Center. Guests were treated to a night of dinner, cocktails, entertainment and a chance to buy a rare horse breed.

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Hanley Center Family Luncheon Returns To Wellington Horse Show

The Hanley Center Foundation held its 16th annual Family Luncheon on Sunday, Feb. 27 at the P alm Beach International Equestrian Center in Wellington. The luncheon featured a silent auction, with proceeds going to support the programs offered by Hanley’s professional development and prevention depar tments. Page 24

OPINION Loxahatchee Groves Election Endorsement

Four years after the Town of Loxahatchee Groves held its first municipal election, Groves voters will return to the polls Tuesday, March 8 to decide whether to retain one of the original council members, Vice Mayor Dennis Lipp, or replace him with challenger Tom Goltzené. The Town-Crier is always in favor of contested elections, and in this case, Groves voters are lucky to have two strong candidates running for the seat. This week, we make our endorsement. Page 4 DEPARTMENT INDEX NEWS ............................. 2 - 14 OPINION ................................ 4 CRIME NEWS ........................ 6 NEWS BRIEFS ....................... 8 POLO & EQUESTRIAN .........17 SCHOOLS .....................18 - 19 PEOPLE........................ 20 - 21 COLUMNS .................... 29 - 30 SUMMER CAMPS ........ 33 - 35 BUSINESS ................... 37 - 39 SPORTS ....................... 43 - 46 CALENDAR...................48 - 49 CLASSIFIEDS ...............50 - 55 Visit Us On The Web At WWW.GOTOWNCRIER.COM

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Area High Schools Team Up To Raise Money For St. Baldrick’s

By Lauren Miró Town-Crier Staff Report Two local high schools are teaming up to go “bigger, better and balder” than ever in the fight against pediatric cancer during a St. Baldrick’s Foundation fundraiser Friday, March 25 at Wellington’s Village Park — and there’s still time to make your pledge to go bald for the cause.

Students at Wellington and Palm Beach Central high schools, typically rivals in the sports arena, set aside their rivalry to bring the community together for one big fundraiser.

“I think it’s great that we came

together as a community-wide event,” PBCHS Head Chair Peri Diamond said. “Though we’re competitors on the field and on the court, the fact that we can come together for a great cause like pediatric cancer research really shows a lot about our community.”

Wellington High School Head Chair Christie Workman agreed.

“Our schools are rival schools,” she said. “But we had both reached our limits to how much we could raise as a school, so we decided to change it. Instead, we thought we could raise more money if we worked together and

made it a community event.”

Together, the schools formed Wellington Kids Care, the official group that will put on the event this year.

“We unified behind the idea that the kids in our community care,” PBCHS event sponsor Don Meyers said. “They’re not just in things for themselves. Our kids care about other kids. Kids get a bad reputation these days, and we want to show that our kids care about their community.”

From 3 to 9 p.m., residents will gather at Village Park (11700 Pierson Road) for a day of fun and See ST. BALDRICK’S, page 7

Wellington Residents Invited To Get Prescription Discount Card

By Lauren Miró Town-Crier Staff Report Wellington residents lacking health insurance or a substantial prescription drug plan can now take advantage of a discount prescription drug card offered by the village to help residents save on prescription costs.

The National League of Cities Prescription Discount Card is offered to village residents because of Wellington’s membership in the league. The card offers a savings on prescription drugs at participating pharmacies and is administered by CVS Caremark.

“As a member of the League of Cities, we’re able to offer this program to our residents,” Deputy Village Manager John Bonde said.

“The league is the sponsor of the program, and municipalities in the league can participate.”

The free card requires no enrollment or membership fees and is available to residents regardless of income, age or existing health insurance, Bonde said.

There is no enrollment form to fill out. Residents interested in the program may print a card online at www.caremark.com/nlc or pick one up at the Wellington Municipal Complex (12300 W. Forest Hill Blvd.), the Wellington Community Center (12150 W. Forest Hill Blvd.), the Safe Neighborhoods Office (1100 Wellington Trace) and Village Park (11700 Pierson Road).

Once picked up or printed, the card can be used immediately for savings. It is accepted at most pharmacies nationwide, Bonde said, and in several Wellington locations. Most major retail pharmacy chains, such as Walgreens, CVS, Walmart and Rite Aid, ac-

ROTARY CLUB CARNIVAL

The Wellington Rotary Club hosted a carnival Feb. 24-27 at Wellington Green Park, located near the Mall at Wellington Green. The child-friendly event was full of games and rides, as well as fun carnival food. Shown above, Sophia and Julia Vazquez on the fire engine ride. MORE PHOTOS, PAGE 10 PHO TO B Y DENISE FLEISCHMAN/TOWN-CRIER

cept the prescription discount card.

Though discounts vary by drug and pharmacy, Bonde noted that residents could save an average of 20 percent off their prescription drugs.

“It’s a really great program,” he said. “It comes at no cost to residents or to Wellington. The card can be used at any participating pharmacy, and it’s one card per family — the whole family can use it.”

Bonde noted that the program is geared toward those without insurance, but can be used by residents with private insurance or Medicaid to fill gaps in their prescription coverage.

“If your prescriptions aren’t covered by your insurance, you can use the card to save money,” Bonde said. “You don’t have to be uninsured.”

The card cannot, however, be used in tandem with insurance benefits that already cover prescriptions. It is meant only for those prescriptions that are not covered. Additionally, over-thecounter and non-prescription medicines are not usually covered.

Some diabetic supplies are covered by the card.

The village enrolled in the program as a way to ease the burden of prescription drug costs on its residents during tough economic times.

“Wellington has had to cut costs due to the economy,” Bonde said, “and we are always looking for ways to help our residents try to do the same. This was a great opportunity that was presented by the League of Cities to help residents save on their prescriptions.”

He said it was a win-win-win See PRESCRIPTION, page 3

By Ron Bukley Town-Crier Staff Report The Royal Palm Beach Wastewater Treatment Plant Task Force discussed the pros and cons Monday of giving the 150-acre site a residential designation.

The task force is working its way through all possible uses for the site, located at the village’s north end. At a previous meeting, they heard about the feasibility of allowing recreational uses. Next week, they’ll hear Royal Palm Beach Finance Director Stan Hochman brief them on the aspects of revenue and expenses on the property under various uses, as well as the village’s budget as a whole. Gary Hines of the Business Development Board also will give a presentation.

Senior Planner Bradford O’Brien presented a residentialuse scenario, starting with the current annual Palm Beach County Realtors’ Association report. It shows the average home sale for the county at $252,000, with homes on the market an average of 175 days. Of the county’s 38 municipalities, Royal Palm Beach ranked fourth for quickest turnaround, so houses in the village are marketable, he said.

Another positive indicator is the high rate at which distressed properties in the village are selling.

“You have to go through that stock before you can go to resales and new home sales,” O’Brien said.

“If we’re burning through those pretty quickly, that’s another positive number.”

O’Brien presented a sample site plan of 373 residential units. Impact fees for homes under 2,000 square feet would be about $1,500, collected when permits are issued, he said. These are onetime fees to pay for schools, roads and other infrastructure. He point-

ed out that a residential development would be assessed a per-unit fee, whereas under other designations, such as commercial, developers pay based on square footage.

“The taxes for a $215,000 home in Royal Palm Beach, you’re looking at $414 (annually) that would be paid to the Village of Royal Palm Beach,” O’Brien said.

All totaled, a residential development would bring in about $158,000 a year to RPB’s coffers.

Task force member Denis Eirikis said he was not impressed with the revenue stream that would be created from ad valorem taxes on a residential development. “Bringing in $158,000 a year, that’s two employees’ salaries,” he said.

Traffic impact for a 373-unit residential development would be 3,730 trips per day, O’Brien said.

If 65 percent of the trips are toward the intersection of Crestwood and Royal Palm Beach boulevards, that section of roadway would be at 41 percent capacity.

Diverting 35 percent west on Crestwood Blvd. would put that section of road at 38 percent capacity.

Recreational requirements for the developer would be about 11 acres, where in a gated community, the village could designate about 5.6 acres as private recreation that the developer would have to buy out, and the remainder would be public recreation area, O’Brien said.

Due partly to currently reduced enrollment, existing schools would be able to meet the level of service for a 373-unit development, except possibly for the high school. “It would be an allocation of a proportion going to Royal Palm Beach High School and anSee TASK FORCE, page 22

‘GARDENING MAKES A WORLD OF DIFFERENCE’

The Wellington Garden Club hosted “Gardening Makes a World of Difference” on Saturday, Feb. 26 on the grounds of the Wellington Amphitheater. There was a plant sale, bake sale and raffles, lectures on various gardening topics, and more.

Shown above, Gabriela and Alissa Sanchez, their mother Vivi and grandmother Edna Vargas pur chase plants.

MORE PHOTOS, PAGE 5 PHOTO BY DENISE FLEISCHMAN/TOWN-CRIER

Lox Candidates Face Off At Forum As Election Nears

By Ron Bukley Town-Crier Staff Report Voters in Loxahatchee Groves will head to the polls Tuesday, March 8 to choose between incumbent Vice Mayor Dennis Lipp and challenger Tom Goltzené in the race for Council Seat 5, the only item on this year’s municipal ballot.

Lipp and Goltzené faced off Thursday, Feb. 24 at a candidates’ forum hosted by the Loxahatchee Groves Landowners’Association.

Lipp, 65, has a bachelor’s degree in chemistry and biology and had a 30-year career with Pioneer Surgical. He is currently an exec-

utive assistant in the office of Palm Beach County Commissioner Jess Santamaria.

A Groves resident since 1984, Lipp got involved in the community 18 years ago when he joined the LGLA. He became deeply involved when three LGLA committees were formed to explore the destiny of Loxahatchee Groves, the “do-nothing,” annexation and incorporation committees. Lipp was named to head the incorporation committee and, after LGLA members voted to support incorporation, became a leader in the effort.

Elected initially in 2007 for a

one-year term on the council and unopposed for a full three-year term in 2008, Lipp said he is happy to have an opponent this time.

“It’s good that people get to vet things out and hear where somebody is coming from as opposed to getting a pass,” he said.

Lipp’s primary goal if elected is to combine the functions of the Loxahatchee Groves Water Control District with the town. “I would like to work together in an open process to see if the town and the district can come together so we’ll have just one government in this town with two distinct characteristics,” he said.

Goltzené, 51, has a bachelor’s degree in business administration.

He has been a corporate accountant and vice president of finance for a builder. In 1993, he started a lawn maintenance business, which he expanded to landscaping and habitat restoration and sold in 2005. More recently he has been working with his son in farming and small business services.

He has lived in the Groves since 1991. This is his first run for elected office.

In the past few years, Goltzené said he has become more involved with the town, especially with the Southern Blvd. commercial devel-

opment plans. He lives nearby and wants to see a preservation element for water retention and a park.

“I’d like to see the area set aside, part of it, to allow for a linear park, water preservation and habitat preservation in that area,” he said.

“I think it’s important that Loxahatchee Groves not lose its unique connection to the environment, which is why so many people live here.”

Goltzené said he is also concerned that people are not being heard when they speak at council meetings. “Maybe [members] preSee ELECTION, page 7

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Page 3

NEWS

P.W. Chamber Task Force Eyes Expanded ‘Buy Local’ Program

By Lauren Miró Town-Crier Staff Report The expansion of the Palms West Chamber of Commerce’s “Buy Local” campaign kicks off this month, offering discounts from businesses throughout the western communities.

The new program offers discounts from all types of businesses, said Susan Giddings, the chamber’s vice chair for economic development, at the Economic Development Task Force meeting held Thursday, Feb. 24 in Wellington.

The campaign launched in October and offered discounts from local restaurants to people who purchased a $1 coupon book, with proceeds going to benefit the Boys & Girls Club of Wellington.

But, Giddings noted, after the program’s trial period, the chamber decided to make some changes.

“We’re going to be making some adjustments to it,” she said.

“We learned from working with it that, even though the concept to have the coupon books cost $1 to go to charity was great, it wasn’t getting enough coupon books out into the community.”

Now, the coupon books will be free and include coupons from businesses throughout the western communities — anywhere that the Palms West Chamber of Commerce serves. That includes Wellington, Royal Palm Beach, The Acreage, Loxahatchee Groves and Greenacres.

“That will allow us to get them out of the business community and into the hands of the general public,” Giddings said.

She noted that while the community has been supportive, more is needed to help the local business community.

“Our key for this program is to

get it out to the general public,” she said, “the people who are working outside our community and need to remember how important it is to spend their dollars at home.”

The Buy Local campaign was launched last year as a way to encourage residents to buy from their own local businesses. Though many programs encourage spending at small, independent businesses, the chamber’s program focuses on geography and promotes growth within the western communities.

Studies have shown that for every $1 spent locally, it has 3 to 5.5 times the economic impact of a dollar that immediately flows out of the region. And offering a free coupon book will help encourage residents to buy at home, she said.

“I think that will be a big help and allow us to get the booklet out in places where we couldn’t be-

fore and get it circulating throughout the community,” Giddings said. “Hopefully, we’ll really see a spike in those businesses who are participating.”

Coupon books are available at participating locations throughout the area, and more deals can be found weekly in the Town-Crier.

Wellington Mayor Pro Tem Dr. Carmine Priore raised concerns about local businesses offering competitive prices.

“We have received some concerns from residents about gas stations and their prices,” he said.

“Since we have a Buy Local program, I thought that maybe we don’t only need to encourage our residents to buy local, but we need to ensure that our local businesses are competitive.”

Priore noted that outside of Wellington, gas is much cheaper, which could drive residents into other communities for more

competitive prices.

Economic Development Task Force Chair Carmine Priore III suggested that the chamber make a general statement rather than addressing vendors directly. Instead, he suggested spotlighting those businesses that are doing their part to be competitive.

In other business, the new Palms West Chamber headquarters will now act as an official visitors center for residents entering Palm Beach County from the west, according to Palms West Chamber CEO Jeane Miranda.

The new office, located on Southern Blvd., will act as an information center for visitors and carry official signage pointing passersby to the building. Inside, the lobby will feature interactive kiosks with information about Palm Beach County.

“There will be official signs, monument signs, as well as road

signage on the eastbound and westbound lanes [of Southern Blvd.] attracting people to the visitors center,” Miranda said.

Though the designation comes with a cost — mostly for signage — Miranda said that the chamber would seek financing through grants and private donations.

“There’s no other visitors center in Palm Beach County,” she said. “They now have a set of standards to qualify you as one. There are a lot of takers who may not be in an area where they want [a visitors center].”

Task force members agreed to support the official designation.

Town Hires Lawyer, But Will Pursue Open Discussion With Callery-Judge

By Ron Bukley Town-Crier Staff Report Loxahatchee Groves Town Council members decided Tuesday to continue talks with CalleryJudge Grove over its challenges to the town’s comprehensive plan, but also directed the town attorney to retain an outside law firm specializing in land-use issues.

Council members decided not to have any more closed-door sessions with Callery-Judge representatives, which had left residents feeling excluded.

Council members also discussed a letter from Callery-Judge Grove General Manager Nat Roberts in response to the council’s decision to proceed to an administrative law hearing after it rejected a proposed settlement agreement at the request of residents.

Town Attorney Michael Cirullo said he had contacted CalleryJudge’s representatives to inform them that the council had rejected the settlement agreement and to invite further communication.

Cirullo had also suggested to Callery-Judge representatives that they attend a March 26 workshop on Okeechobee Blvd.

The town has been granted an extension to April 1 to provide an update to the administrative law judge or indicate that it needs a legal hearing. Cirullo pointed out

that the interval between the workshop and April 1 is not enough to prepare a detailed response.

Councilman Jim Rockett said he was pleased to see a response from Callery-Judge.

“I don’t know if it really told me anything, but at least we got a response,” he said. “It wasn’t really negative, so I kind of took it on the up side. I think we need to pursue two paths at the same time, and that would be that we retain outside counsel, while also asking Callery-Judge to participate, come to a meeting and have an open conversation.”

The letter from Roberts reiterated Callery-Judge’s reasons for seeking traffic remediation and took issue with the characterization that the proposed settlement agreement is one-sided. “I remain committed to finding solutions to the impacts of new development in the town and remain open to discussing alternatives to those portions of the policies that the town council finds unacceptable,” Roberts wrote.

Councilman Ryan Liang said he was encouraged that the letter indicated that Roberts wishes to have a cooperative relationship. “I agree with that, but if we can’t come to some sort of mutual agreement, then we will have to go to litigation,” he said.

Councilman Ron Jarriel said he was happy that the letter was from Roberts and not Callery-Judge’s attorneys. “I’m thinking that the legal staff might have had a different approach,” Jarriel said.

“They might have said maybe it’s time to go to court and see who’s going to win. The biggest thing I want the public to know is there will be no more shade meetings.”

Jarriel said he would favor a two-month delay in an administrative hearing to have the opportunity to work through the differences in public settings. He also pointed out that the Indian Trail Improvement District would have to be included.

“One idea was a reliever road running east and west, which would benefit the high school kids going back and forth to Seminole Ridge High School,” he said. “It would benefit the residents north of Okeechobee who would love to be able to go out Sycamore and go to Publix and go get gas and take their kids to the high school.”

That is an idea that has met with objections from ITID officials.

Vice Mayor Dennis Lipp agreed with Rockett that the town should secure outside counsel. “I didn’t find much in the three-page letter that was good,” Lipp said.

Lipp took particular exception to a portion of the letter that

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lumped Loxahatchee Groves and The Acreage together regarding the road problems that have evolved.

In that portion, Roberts wrote, “It is widely recognized by nearly every state, regional, county and local government planning agency that the roadway infrastructure system in the central western communities is broken. After years of exemptions from county concurrency requirements for The Acreage and Loxahatchee Groves, the land in this area has been built house by house into a sprawling

community with more than 40,000 residents.”

Lipp said Town Manager Frank Spence researched the number of homes that had been built in Loxahatchee Groves since it incorporated, which numbered fewer than 10. “In that same time, there was probably more than 1,000 built in The Acreage,” Lipp said. “To lump us in with the issues of the broken road system is nuts. To put it on us to get it fixed is likewise nuts.”

Lipp said he wouldn’t mind having Roberts come to a meet-

ing, but pointed out that he has been on record as being opposed to negotiations. “Right now we’re in it for $150,000, and we’re probably in it for another $150,000,” he said.

Rockett made a motion to ask for an extension to June 1 for an administrative hearing and at the same time set up a public workshop. That motion carried unanimously.

The council also agreed to retain the Gunster law firm to represent the town if it should need to go to an administrative hearing.

Prescription

Discount Card

continued from page 1 for residents, pharmacies and the village. “I think this program benefits everyone,” Bonde said. “It comes at no cost to [Wellington], residents save money and pharmacies gain a loyal following of customers. We’re very happy to be able to offer this program to our residents.”

For more information, or to print a card, locate a pharmacy or look up prescription prices, visit www.caremark.com/nlc or call, toll-free, (888) 620-1749.

SAMPLE A sample of the free prescription discount card available to Wellington residents.

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March 4 - March 10, 2011

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TOWN-CRIER ENDORSEMENT

Return Dennis Lipp To Loxahatchee Groves Town Council Seat 5 Four years after the Town of Loxahatchee Groves held its first municipal election, Groves voters will return to the polls Tuesday, March 8 to decide whether to retain one of the original council members, Vice Mayor Dennis Lipp, or replace him with challenger Tom Goltzené. Although it’s rare to find a municipal election that attracts much attention without the help of other items on the ballot, the race for Seat 5 on the Loxahatchee Groves Town Council has generated a fair amount of interest, as well as some strong opinions regarding the two candidates. It’s not surprising, given the number of incomplete projects and other ongoing issues facing the town.

The Town-Crier is always in favor of contested elections, and in this case, Loxahatchee Groves voters are lucky to have two strong candidates running for the seat. But that also makes for a difficult decision. Our editorial board met with Mr. Goltzené and Mr. Lipp in advance of the candidate profiles published last week. It was the first time several members of the editorial board got a chance to speak in-depth with Mr. Goltzené, and we were quite impressed with what he had to say. He comes across informed and polished — a rarity in first-time candidates.

A native South Floridian, Mr. Goltzené has lived in Loxahatchee Groves for the past 20 years and cares deeply about the community. With experience in agriculture and environmental restoration, working in both the public and private sectors, Mr. Goltzené’s professional career works to his advantage in a town like the Groves. He has garnered support from agricultural businesses in the town, and though he is a champion of the “love it and leave it alone” school of thought, Mr. Goltzené is in favor of striking the right balance

between development and preservation. In general, Mr. Goltzené shares the “governmentlite” viewpoint of his fellow Groves residents. He has the best interests of Loxahatchee Groves at heart, and if elected to the council, we have no doubt that he’d do a fine job protecting the interests of residents.

As the incumbent, Mr. Lipp shares the vulnerability of having been involved in controversial issues over the years. In a town such as Loxahatchee Groves, where voters can be polarized despite having the same basic view of local government, perception and reality sometimes overlap. This has been a problem for Mr. Lipp as of late, as evidenced by the attempts to portray him as being “anti-ag” for questioning the legitimacy of certain businesses’ tax exemptions. Mr. Lipp has spent many years working to protect Loxahatchee Groves, first through his work with the Loxahatchee Groves Landowners’ Association in devising the Rural Vistas regulations, then with his efforts in helping the town through the incorporation process, and now into the first four years of the town’s existence.

All the issues facing Loxahatchee Groves, from the incomplete comprehensive plan to pending development applications and the Callery-Judge Grove lawsuit — these are all things Mr. Lipp is an expert in. He has worked long and hard on these issues, and it would not behoove Loxahatchee Groves residents to be putting a new person in at this point in the game. So while we do believe we’ll see Mr. Goltzené on the council at some point, and feel that he would represent the town’s residents admirably, right now the Groves needs the experienced leadership that Mr. Lipp brings. The Town-Crier endorses the re-election of Dennis Lipp to Loxahatchee Groves Town Council Seat 5.

LETTERS TO THE EDITOR Lipp: Don’t OverTax Anyone Editor’s note: The following letter from Loxahatchee Groves Vice Mayor Dennis Lipp is in response to last week’s letter by Tom Goltzené, who is challenging Lipp in the Tuesday, March 8 municipal election.

If Mr. Tom Goltzené were not running for the Loxahatchee Groves Town Council, his naivete would be of no concern. However, he is in this election contest and light needs to be focused on his false accusations.

I stand behind my original position on the fair use of property tax exemptions. Florida law 193.461 is perfectly clear. There are 516 properties in the town that claim an ag exemption, and 792 properties that are listed as “single family.” Of the town’s total acreage — 6,935 acres — 3,917 acres have an ag exemption. I would hope that at least 90 percent or more of these exemptions are bona fide agricultural. We know that there are about 200 acres around B Road and Southern Blvd. that have bogus exemptions (2.8 percent of the ag exempted acres). I want everyone to pay their fair share of the town’s expenses and not one cent more.

Mr. Goltzené writes, “All of this is being proposed to enrich the coffers of the county and the town on the backs of those who are suffering hard times.” Give me a break! Who isn’ t suffering hard times? My wife and I saw our retirement savings vanish, the market value of our home drop and our property taxes go up! Enriching coffers? The town actually lowered its share of the property tax bill in 2009 at the absolute nadir of the collapse in real estate values. During the LGLA-sponsored candidates’ forum, Mr. Goltzené was told about a neighboring property that claims an ag exemption when in actual day-today use is not ag, but a trucking company with dump trucks, loaders, repair shop and fuel storage.

Mr. Goltzené states that if someone has an ag exemption and “pretends” to be doing an ag business, they should not have the ag exemption. Bingo! We agree!

Mr. Goltzené continues: “Issues like his [Dennis Lipp’s] desire for high-density housing just south of Collecting Canal…” Where was Mr. Goltzené during the town’s strategic visioning workshops? Is his ignorance of the work that we put into the town’s planning meetings his excuse? The town council gave unanimous consent to allow a density of one home per 2.5 acres on land south of Collecting Canal on the northern part of the Simon property (19 homes on 55

acres). In addition, these property owners must provide a 300-foot buffer along Collecting Canal.

Three hundred feet is the length of a football field!

I could continue to cite other bits of Mr. Goltzené’s naivete, but I will end with his comments on being “passionate” about a “linear park.” Mr. Goltzené would require developers along Southern Blvd. to donate land to the town for a linear park. How does Mr. Goltzené plan to cover the cost of building his park? How does a “government-lite” town justify levying more taxes to fund the annual maintenance of his park?

Palm Beach County spends $97,000/year to maintain the 30acre, county-owned Loxahatchee Groves Park. The incorporation committee used Southwest Ranches in Broward County as a model of a rural town in an urban county. Our towns are similar in size. Loxahatchee Groves covers about 12 square miles, and Southwest Ranches covers about 13 square miles. However, this is where the similarities end. Southwest Ranches owns and maintains seven parks at a cost 2 to 4 percent of their $9 million annual budget. Loxahatchee Groves’ annual budget is $2 million, i.e. government-lite. Is this Mr. Goltzené’s “passion,” spending more of our money?

My name is Dennis Lipp. I am offering common-sense solutions for our uncommon town. On March 8, vote for common sense; vote for Dennis Lipp.

Dennis Lipp, Vice Mayor Loxahatchee Groves

Louda Supports Tom Goltzené I’ve known Tom Goltzené, on and off, for about 15 years, ever since I bought a boat from him when he had an environmental restoration business (Enviroglades) about 1,000 feet north of me. Later on that same property, there was a fire and, as he had herbicides stored there, all of his neighbors were worried about our water supplies. He worked with the Health Department and the Department of Environment Protection to ascertain if any spillage had contaminated our ground water. It had not. All records were made public to us.

Lately, a letter from his opponent brought forward a case file that was opened regarding several goats that were seized by Animal Care & Control from his wife’s operation in Wellington. As no one was living or physically present on the property when Animal Care & Control arrived to investigate following a concerned neighbor’s call, the goats were

seized. What the letter failed to mention was that those goats were being treated for a parasitic infection, had antibiotics in their blood and, being that sick, were somewhat emaciated. The case was closed with no fines or other punishment being levied.

Remember this when you leave your dog, your cattle, your horses, whatever. Should they knock over their water and a neighbor complains that your animals are without water, you too could have an animal cruelty case opened. Are you guilty?

Dennis Lipp is for fast-tracking the merging of the Loxahatchee Groves Water Control District into the town with openly stated reasoning being that it would greatly expedite prescriptive easements and the paving of the town’s roads.

The vote of a simple majority (50 percent plus one) of landowners — by acreage now or potentially by parcel in the future — decides that a certain section of road will pay for the paving, wanted or not.

The remaining 49 percent also get saddled with the costs. Further, the prescriptive easement part of this constitutes a taking without compensation. Even with compensation to the individual, all Loxahatchee Groves landowners on that road section, or town-wide if the town undertakes a paving program, would foot the bill.

I’m voting for Tom Goltzené for Council Seat 5. He may face a lot of 4-1 votes, as I did for several years, but we need someone up on the dais to fight for the Loxahatchee Groves that most of us moved here to enjoy, and also for its environment.

I thank you for your time, consideration and for getting to the polls to vote.

Dr. Bill Louda Loxahatchee Groves

Herzog Supports Dennis Lipp I write this letter as a Loxahatchee Groves resident and a concerned citizen. Many of you know me personally and know that I have always been involved with the community.

We have an election coming up, and there is a big push by a splinter group to get rid of our Vice Mayor Dennis Lipp. Mr. Lipp has been falsely painted as anti-agriculture, pro-code enforcement and even a developer! These are manipulative political buzz words that strike to the heart of most people from Loxahatchee Groves and seem to crop up at every election.

I have known Mr. Lipp for over ten years, and we don’t always agree on political issues, but the tags trying to be attached are not fully correct. Although he has

made some statements that some people find unpopular, I believe he has the best interest of the community at heart.

What is true is that there is a faction in Loxahatchee Groves that desires to control all facets of our government. This group will do anything to discredit anyone or anything that interferes with their private agenda of control. This desire for control extends from the town council, to the finance committee, to the details of our land development codes, to influencing the water control district and to who should make up the town management staff.

Mrs. Elise Ryan is one of the controlling forces who sit as the vice chair of the town’s finance committee. She organized and ran the political campaigns of Ron Jarriel and Ryan Liang in 2009.

She was also fully geared up to run Jim Rockett’s campaign in 2010, although he ended up being uncontested when I decided to drop out of the race. Consider that three of your council members were helped into their seats by Elise Ryan and her husband, Loxahatchee Groves Water Control District Supervisor John Ryan.

Now Mrs. Ryan is busy running candidate Tom Goltzené’s campaign. Should Mr. Goltzené win the seat, Mrs. Ryan, who owns a large nursery, will have orchestrated the seats of four members of your town council. Do we need the town to be micromanaged by John and Elise Ryan? As a point of interest, the Ryans pushed very hard for the 1:5 land use density in our comp plan so they could divide up and sell their property more readily. Maybe one could characterize them as developers?

Mr. Goltzené is a resident who has never been actively involved with anything happening in Loxahatchee Groves before becoming a political candidate a few weeks ago. He has only recently started attending town meetings. He has never sat on any town committee.

By contrast, Mr. Lipp has been a longstanding member of the Loxahatchee Groves Landowners’ Association, one of the authors of our Rural Vista policy written in 1996, and a member of the original incorporation committee. Mr. Lipp has also served on our town council for four years and was selected twice by the other council members to act as the town’s vice mayor.

As a citizen who cares about Loxahatchee Groves, I feel the residents have a right to know who is pulling the strings in the background in our town. This election is not about the performance of Mr. Dennis Lipp or the town management team. It is simply a power struggle going on behind the

scenes. Now it is up to the voters to decide who they want to believe and, more importantly, who they want running their town.

Marge Herzog Loxahatchee Groves

Schiola Responds To Lipp Letter Vice Mayor Dennis Lipp stated in his Feb. 18 letter to the editor that he has been a resident since 1984, but his knowledge of the town and directions and other facts are not correct, so let’s make some corrections.

First of all, the Simon Property is located at the northwest corner of B Road and Southern Blvd. not the northeast corner... Vice Mayor Lipp stated that “the Simon Property only pays $690 a year in ad valorum taxes while a 7.83 acre vacant piece of property east of C Road near Southern Blvd. pays $5,770 in ad valorum taxes per year,” which I believe is probably true. If this property owner on C Road wants to pay less in taxes, then this owner should place livestock or another agricultural product on this property to qualify for this exemption.

The fact is, this property owner chose not to. Vice Mayor Lipp has been trying to remove agricultural exemptions for reasons that currently elude me, and trying to make another law that says these owners must submit tax returns to the town every year for an independent audit. He says that this will improve income for the town.

OK, so let’s play devil’s advocate; let’s remove agricultural exemptions in Loxahatchee Groves and see what happens: 1) People lose their jobs. Isn’t unemployment at an all-time high?

2) Land values fall. That’s OK also, as land values are low so lets drive those prices lower.

3) Your friends and neighbors are no longer your friends and neighbors; they needed to move because there is no work in the area, but you can make new friends and neighbors.

And while we are on the subject of tax exemptions, let’s try to remove some others like Loxahatchee Groves Ordinance 200702, which gives a property tax break to residential property owners 65 years old and older... How

about scrapping the Save Our Homes exemption? Wouldn’t this bring more money into the town, Vice Mayor Lipp? Vice Mayor Lipp also stated in his letter that agricultural exemptions are “bogus” and that he wants to stop fraud. Well vice mayor, if you think there is fraud happening, then report your friends and neighbors to the proper authorities for an impartial investigation. I wonder how many tax exemptions Vice Mayor Lipp qualifies for and if he is willing to give up all of those exemptions.

Government was created to help its citizens and not to tax them into oblivion. Tax exemptions were developed to spur business growth and make the American dream more affordable, and until a better system is developed, I am for it. I own two acres in Loxahatchee Groves and I don’t have any agricultural exemptions, but I do benefit from the Save Our Homes exemption. Mr. Lipp owns five acres in Loxahatchee Groves and chooses not to have cattle or plants for sale on his property, which is his right under the Constitution of the United States. The professional politician tells us what we need and who’s to blame, while an elected official works for the betterment and common good of the people. Dennis Lipp has become the professional politician of the political machine. I think it’s time to elect Tom Goltzené to Seat 5 and get rid of a professional politician.

Frank Schiola Loxahatchee Groves

Keep Ryder Cup Blvd. Open A lot of people don’t know this, but Ryder Cup Blvd., which runs through PGA National from Northlake Blvd. to PGA Blvd., is actually Jog Road and is a public road that anyone can drive on.

PGA National built guard shacks on both ends in order to fool people into thinking it is a private road. The road is actually deeded to the Northern Palm Beach County Improvement District and not PGA National.

As part of an agreement, in 2008 the county allowed PGA National to block traffic to nonresidents after 9 p.m. Part of that agreement was that when Jog Road was finally completed to See LETTERS, page 22

The Town-Crier welcomes letters to the editor. Please keep le tters brief (300 words). Submit letters, with contact name, address, and telephone number (anonymous letters will not be published), to The Town-Crier, 12794 W. Forest Hill Blvd., Suite 31, Wellington, FL 33414; fax them to (561) 793-6090; or you can e-mail them to letters@goTownCrier.com.

OPINION

Wake Forest Baseball Coach Tom Walter Exemplifies The Word ‘Hero’ He hasn’t made the rounds of the morning talk shows; he has not been a featured guest on Sunday morning television; he hasn’t been invited to the White House for a citation and a photo op. But make no mistake: Wake Forest University baseball coach Tom Walter is a pure national hero in the very highest definition of the word.

First, let’s define the word. Ac-

Footloose and...

By Jules W. Rabin cording to Webster, a hero is a person of distinguished courage or ability admired for brave deeds

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and noble qualities. Walter was hired by the Demon Deacons in 2009. One year later, Kevin Jordan, one of the new players Walter recruited who had been selected by the New York Yankees in the amateur draft, was diagnosed with ANCA vasculitis and in a very short time, with his kidneys functioning at just eight percent, was fighting for his life. Extensive test-

ing of his family and friends did not find a match for a kidney donation.

Enter his new baseball coach for whom Jordan had not yet performed a single minute. Walter volunteered to undergo the rigorous testing seeking a match. He was it. And after conferring with his wife and family and receiving their blessing, the 42-year-old

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coach and mentor entered Emory University in early February, along with Jordan, and gave up his kidney to give Jordan back his life.

“When we recruit our guys, we talk about family and making sacrifices for one another,” Walter said before the operation. “It is something we take very seriously. I had the support of my family, Wake Forest and my team. To me

it was a no-brainer.”

Jordan is hoping to start some light workouts this spring. Walter expects to coach the Demon Deacons in the soon to start college season. The motto of Wake Forest is “Humanitate,” which translates to “for the good of humanity.” As the university’s baseball coach, Tom Walter surely exemplifies what the motto means.

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March 4 - March 10, 2011

Page 5

NEWS

WELLINGTON GARDEN CLUB HOSTS PLANT SALE AND SHOW AT AMPHITHEATER The Wellington Garden Club hosted “Gardening Makes a World of Difference” on Saturday, Feb. 26 on the grounds of the Wellington Amphitheater. There was a plant sale, bake sale and raffles, lectures on various gardening topics, and more. For more info., visit www.wellingtongardenclub.org.

PHOTOS BY DENISE FLEISCHMAN/T OWN-CRIER

Wellington Garden Club President Barbara Hadsell, Florida Federation of Garden Clubs VP Sue Angle, Incoming President Susan Hillson and Immediate Past President Stormi Bivin.

Connie Kilgore, Jayne Kiesewetter, Beverley Ginn and Nancy Cinieri with available baked goods.

Adrianne Hetherington and Linda Rovolis look over begonias.

Brandon Spaner and dad Dan color a butterfly.

Amir Mohaibeen plants milkweed seeds to attract butterflies.

Lily Portier gets an early star t on honing her gardening skills.

RIBBON CUTTING AT PALMS WEST HOSPITAL OPENS NEW INTERFAITH CHAPEL Palms West Hospital held a ribbon-cutting ceremony for its new interfaith chapel Feb. 24. The small non-denominational chapel will of fer a q uiet place for patients, visitors and staff to reflect, seek spiritual comfort and pray. The chapel is the culmination of eight PHOTOS BY DENISE FLEISCHMAN/T OWN-CRIER months of planning spearheaded by Administrative Director of Surgical Ser vices Gary Reardon.

Rabbi Bertram Kieffer of Temple Beth Zion cuts the ribbon.

Father Harry McAlpine of Our Lady Queen of the Apostles Catholic Church, Rabbi Betram Kieffer of Temple Beth Zion and P.W. Hospital Chief Operating Officer Michael Patterson.

Pastor Marcelo Felizzola, Father Harry McAlpine, Gar y Reardon, Rabbi Bertram Kieffer, Pastor Alvaro Hernandez, Pastor Randall Clark and Pastor Ricky Becerra.

Page 6

March 4 - March 10, 2011

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CRIME NEWS

Over $900 In Gas Stolen From Farm

By Lauren Miró Town-Crier Staff Report FEB. 25 — A deputy from the Palm Beach County Sheriff’s Office’s Acreage/Loxahatchee substation was dispatched to a farm on 70th Road North last Friday in response to a theft. According to a PBSO report, sometime between 4 p.m. last Monday and 11:15 a.m. last Friday, someone entered the property and removed 300 gallons of red dyed diesel fuel from a fuel tank that runs one of the pumps.

According to the report, the perpetrator(s) drove onto the property by cutting a chain that secured a gate on the southwest corner of the farm. The perpetrator(s) then backed a vehicle up to the pump and cut a hole in the metal screen enclosure. Then, they were able to access the fuel tank cap, which was not locked. The stolen gas was valued at approximately $957.

There were no suspects at the time of the report.

••• FEB. 24 — A resident of 85th Road North called the PBSO’s Acreage/Loxahatchee substation last Thursday morning to report a stolen bicycle. According to a PBSO report, the victim’s son had chained his green mountain bike to a tree on an empty lot on the northwest corner of Citrus Grove and Coconut boulevards. The victim received a call from a witness who said that the tree had been cut down and the bike had been stolen. According to the report, the witness said that at approximately 11 a.m., he heard a chainsaw running and looked outside. He saw an unknown Hispanic male standing next to a red Isuzu truck cutting down the tree. According to the report, the witness yelled at the suspect, and he immediately jumped into his truck and drove away, which is when the witness noticed the bike missing.

FEB. 24 — A deputy from the PBSO substation in Royal Palm Beach was dispatched to a home on Hibiscus Drive last Thursday morning regarding a vehicle burglary. According to a PBSO report, sometime between midnight on Sunday, Feb. 20 and 8:30 a.m. last Thursday, someone entered the victim’s unlocked Ford Bronco parked in front of his home and stole a purple Poulan chainsaw from his front floorboard. The stolen item was valued at approximately $175. There were no suspects or witnesses at the time of the report.

FEB. 24 — An employee of the Lowe’s home improvement store on State Road 7 called the PBSO substation in Royal Palm Beach last Thursday evening to report a

stolen vehicle. According to a PBSO report, the victim parked his burgundy 2006 HondaAccord in the back of the shopping plaza while at work. Sometime between 3 and 6:30 p.m., someone broke into his car and stole it. The victim reported that he has two sets of keys for the car, one was in his pocket and the other at his home.

According to the report, there was no sign of forced entry, and there were no suspects or witnesses at the time of the report.

FEB. 25 — A deputy from the PBSO substation in Royal Palm Beach responded to a home in Counterpoint Estates last Friday afternoon regarding a theft. According to a PBSO report, sometime between 6 p.m. on Saturday, Feb. 19 and 2:30 p.m. last Friday, someone entered the victim’s yard and stole his air conditioning unit’s compressor. The victim said that the home is currently vacant. The perpetrator(s) removed the cover of the compressor, cut the copper lines and removed the internal components, leaving only the external case. The perpetrator(s) then placed the components on the outside area of the fence and left. The stolen items were valued at approximately $2,000. There were no suspects or witnesses at the time of the report.

FEB. 26 — A Wellington man was arrested last Saturday night for burglary following an incident in the Cypress Point community.

According to a PBSO report, the victim was sitting in his car on Westhampton Circle when he observed 55-year-old James Parks walking along the sidewalk toward the car. According to the report, Parks walked past the car and stopped, then turned and walked back toward the victim’s car and pulled open the passenger door and leaned in, reaching for the victim. The victim feared he was in danger and drove his car in reverse. The open door came into contact with Parks, who lost his balance and fell. He struck his head on the concrete, causing a laceration. Palm Beach County Fire-Rescue responded to the scene, and Parks was airlifted to Delray Medical Center for observation. He was later arrested and taken to the Palm Beach County Jail where he was charged with burglary to an occupied conveyance.

FEB. 26 — A deputy from the PBSO substation in Wellington was dispatched to a home in the Eastwood community last Friday regarding an act of vandalism.

According to a PBSO report, sometime between 7 p.m. on SatSee BLOTTER, page 22

Man In Critical Condition After Wellington Crash FEB. 24 — A Wellington man was listed in critical condition following a traffic accident last Thursday on State Road 7 south of Southern Blvd.

According to a Palm Beach County Sheriff’s Office report, 27year-old Richard Incandela was traveling at a high rate of speed northbound on State Road 7 at approximately 11:43 a.m. For unknown reasons, Incandela did not slow down or change lanes as he

approached a dump truck, and failed to avoid a collision.

According to the report, the front of Incandela’s Subaru Forester struck the rear of the dump truck. Incandela’s vehicle came to rest a short distance from where the crash occurred and was briefly on fire.

Incandela was transported to Delray Medical Center where he remained in critical condition at the time of the report.

Crime Stopper s of Palm Beach County is asking for the public’s help in finding these wanted fugitives: • Cesar Infantas is a white male, 5’8” tall and weighing 170 lbs., with black hair and brown eyes. His date of birth is 04/09/83. Infantas is wanted for sale of oxycodone. His occupation is unknown. His last known address was Seneca Court in Royal Palm Beach. Infantas is wanted as of 03/03/11.

• Ronald Wherrell, a.k.a. “Dusty” or Dustin Wherrell, is a white male, 5’10” tall and weighing 180 lbs., with brown hair and brown eyes. He has multiple tattoos. His date of birth is 07/12/82. Wherrell is wanted for attempting to obtain a controlled substance by fraud. His occupation is unknown. His last known address was 40th Run North in The Acreage.

Wherrell is wanted as of 03/03/11.

Remain anonymous and you may be eligible for up to a $1,000 reward.

Call Crime Stoppers at (800) 458TIPS (8477) or visit www.crime stopperspbc.com.

Cesar Infantas

Ronald Wherrell

THE INFORMATION FOR THIS BOX IS PROVIDED BY CRIME STOPPERS OF PALM BEACH COUNTY. CRIMESTOPPERS IS WHOLLY RESPONSIBLE FOR THE CONTENT SHOWN HERE.

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March 4 - March 10, 2011

Page 7

NEWS

County Rule Changes Tighten Regulation Of Pet Shops, Breeders

By Ron Bukley Town-Crier Staff Report The Palm Beach County Commission approved changes to its animal care ordinance Tuesday designed to assure humane treatment of animals and protect purchasers of pets.

Once granted final approval, the ordinance will place additional requirements on pet shops and dealers to protect consumers, expand the definition of “nuisance animals,” and require guard dog services and people using guard dogs to obtain permits and provide their dogs with humane conditions.

The changes also prohibit tethering animals, revise provisions for hobby breeder permits and revise rules pertaining to dangerous dog breeds.

The amendment requires pet shops and dealers to provide buyers with the name and address of the breeder of each puppy and kitten sold, along with detailed health information pertaining to each animal. Pet shops also must provide those records to the Palm Beach County Division of Animal Care & Control.

Election

Groves Candidates’ Forum

continued from page 1 tend to listen, but they have their minds made up,” he said. “I promise to make up my mind after I’ve heard from the public.”

Lipp denied that he has preconceived opinions before hearing from the public. “The input that we have, the conclusions that we make — it is a deliberative process,” he said. “Coming to meetings with your mind already made up is not the way I operate.”

Asked how the town should enforce ordinances addressing land use, Lipp said there are some people operating retail businesses on land zoned for agricultural use, which should be corrected. As an example, he said Red Barn Feed pays about $42,000 a year in taxes on commercial property, while another commercial feed store operating on land with an agricultural exemption pays less than $8,000.

Goltzené said he agrees that operating a commercial business on property that is not zoned commercial is an issue. “One way to address it is to work with the individual or business and see if we can’t bring them into compliance with the town ordinances,” he said.

Asked whether commercial uses should be allowed on Okee-

St. Baldrick’s

Fundraiser March 25

continued from page 1 fighting back. There will be inflatable rides, vendors, food, live performances by local talent, a DJ and much more.

The “mane” event will see hundreds of students, faculty and (sponsors hope) members of the community going bald to raise money.

“People sign up to shave their head or cut their hair for Locks of Love,” Wellington High School Co-Chair Jenna Baxter said.

“When they sign up, they make a commitment to raise money.”

Each “shavee,” as they are called, commits to raising at least $100 through friends and family or other generous donors. Partici-

Much of the public discussion centered on the new requirements for guard dogs.

Diane Perez, co-owner of BrowardK9/MiamiK9 Services Inc., stressed that most guard dog firms treat their animals well and should not be penalized for the actions of a few.

“We have been in the guard dog service for over 30 years,” Perez said. “We understand the events that have transpired in the past year regarding cruel guard dog companies, but we feel that it is wrong to assume that the industry is cruel.”

Perez was concerned about the stipulation that if a company is cited twice, it will lose its permits.

“Guard dogs work in pairs, and sometimes thieves cut the fence,” she said. “The fence is cut, the dogs run loose. That’s two violations, which means we lose our permit.”

Perez added that requiring two visits per year for a guard dog to a veterinarian is unnecessary, pointing out that her trucks all have complete first aid kits. “It’s very stressful taking aggressive dogs on

catch sticks to the veterinarian,” she said.

Further, the bedding requirements are not appropriate, Perez said, pointing out that aggressive guard dogs often tear it up and ingest it, causing intestinal problems.

The amendment also requires a fan inside the shelter where the dogs are kept. “We have fans outside the shelter,” she said. “Aggressive dogs cannot have a fan inside a shelter.”

Perez also took issue with a requirement to check the dogs’ water three times a day. “We have five-gallon buckets that are washed every day,” she said. “This is an area where the dogs are sleeping and resting. There’s not to be any contact with the guard dogs. They need to be sleeping; they need to be resting, not agitated.”

She also said a requirement for 100 square feet for one dog and 150 square feet for two dogs makes no sense. “Dogs are pack animals; they like to sleep together,” Perez said. “They like a small space. A larger kennel and all they’re going to do is be agitated

and pace all day. They’re not going to sleep.”

Jose Perez said a requirement that the animals be exercised every 12 hours is irrelevant, because once they are on duty, they are active. “The dogs are out anywhere from eight to 12 hours when we release them,” he said.

“They’re out all night. It’s not like a kennel, where they’re locked up 24/7. These are not pets; they are very high-energy, destructive dogs.”

Pat Boyd, president of the Jupiter-Tequesta Dog Club, said dogs cannot be put in one category. Boyd explained that she deals with many hobby breeders, pet lovers and people who train hunting dogs.

“Tethering is a primary means of controlling the training of hunting dogs, sled dogs and dogs that compete in weight pulling, and there are those dogs here in Palm Beach County,” Boyd said, citing a study by Cornell University showing that tethering is no more detrimental to dogs than housing them in a pen. “I understand that the goal of Animal Control is that all dogs should be loved and made

a house pet, but it’s not going to be that way. Tethering is the only option that some people have, and you want to take that away.”

Boyd said that the current ordinance, requiring that animals’ quarters be clean, sanitary, safe and humane, with appropriate quantities of food, water and proper ventilation, is sufficient. “That says it all,” she said.

Michael Cleveland said the ordinance should simply state that animals should have shelter that protects them from all weather conditions and does not allow them to get loose and pose a danger to the public. “That’s just plain and simple,” he said. “Anybody who cannot understand that, they don’t need pets.”

Commissioner Shelley Vana supported the ordinance changes.

“I have been working on this with Animal Control,” Vana said, explaining that the pet store regulations are among her primary concerns. “The only thing I would want to see is some sort of phasing in of the tethering.”

Animal Care & Control Director Diane Sauve said phasing in tethering is her goal, by educat-

ing people on alternatives to tethering.

According to the county’s staff report on the ordinance changes, Animal Care & Control received numerous cruelty complaints in 2010 concerning tethered animals.

Tethering is a problem in Palm Beach County primarily for dogs, but other animals such as horses often are tethered. Animal Control officers often find tethered dogs with leashes that have become entangled to the point that they cannot move or reach their water.

Commissioner Paulette Burdick said she was concerned about Diane Perez’s contention that she could lose her permit if thieves cut a fence and the guard dogs get out.

Suave said that her division would not issue a violation under those conditions.

The commissioners also agreed to increase Animal Care & Control’s euthanasia fee from $30 to $50 and changed the provision for a 25-percent senior citizen discount, raising the eligibility age from 65 to 70.

The vote to approve the changes was unanimous. Final approval is scheduled March 15.

chobee Blvd., Goltzené said the idea needs to be discussed at a workshop. “I look forward to hearing what people have to say on that,” he said.

Lipp said that during planning workshops, town council members have not looked at commercial development on Okeechobee Blvd. “We had the vision of all commercial being down along Southern,” he said. “The fact that there are retail operations and some property owners along the road that are clamoring for commercial will be ferreted out during the charettes,” he said. “We’ll hear what people have to say.”

Commercial uses as well as the proposed widening of Okeechobee Blvd. both need to be addressed, Lipp added.

Asked whether council members favor building a traffic circle offering a better connection at 140th Avenue North and E Road, Lipp recalled that the LGLA fought hard against a thoroughfare being created there, but that the roads are currently connected via a dangerous dirt switchback, and that a roundabout would improve safety.

Goltzené said he opposes making the connection a thoroughfare, but agreed that it needs to be made safer. He said he opposes other roads being connected, as is stipulated in a proposed settlement agreement between the town and Callery-Judge Grove over an objection to the town’s comprehensive plan.

Another issue is whether the

developers at B Road and Southern should pay for paving and speed bumps on B Road from Southern to Okeechobee. “That’s been part of the plan for those developments for quite a while,” Goltzené said, adding that he also wants them to pay for some land for the linear park.

Lipp agreed that paving and speed bumps for B Road have always been part of the development plan but said the actual use of the land remains to be seen.

Regarding lowering the speed limit on Okeechobee Blvd. to 35 mph through town, Lipp said whatever speed is posted is irrelevant as long as people are speeding.

“There have been speeders on Okeechobee ever since I’ve lived here,” he said. “Would the county let us do it? I don’t know.”

Goltzené said the sheriff’s office should be better enforcing the current speed limit.

Goltzené said one important issue to him is controlling illegal dumping because his Loxahatchee Groves neighborhood has been a traditional dumpsite.

“We still have enough tires around on the properties that I lease to fill a dump truck,” he said, adding that the solution might be through stepped-up patrols and encouraging residents to report violations.

Lipp said the Solid Waste Authority has two full-time sheriff’s deputies whose job it is to control dumping; they set up night vision cameras to monitor areas frequent-

ly dumped in. The SWA also has personnel go through the debris, he said, to find clues to who dumped it.

The candidates were asked what project they would take the lead on if elected.

Lipp said he would pursue combining the town’s two governments into one. “I think that will not only save the taxpayers money, but we can have a system by which people are fairly taxed [and] simply have one government,” he said. “This will be a process that’s going to take a couple of years, and it’ll take a year to get through the legislature.”

Goltzené said he would take the lead on getting a linear park on land at B Road and Southern Blvd.

that is designated for commercial development by working with the developers. He pointed out that at a recent council meeting, the developer’s plans for housing in the area where he favors a linear park had gone up from 19 to 22 units on the 55 acres outside the commercial area.

“That’s how things get slid in,” he said. “Just a detail here, a couple of sentences in the [land development code], and then it comes back to haunt people later.”

At the end, Lipp said he was pleased with the way the forum had gone.

“I think folks got an idea of where I stand on the issues,” he said. “Tom has his idea of what

his vision of the town is, and I have an idea of the vision of the town.

I’ve been working with the town in developing that vision since the very beginning.”

Lipp said he has taken both of the Florida League of Cities’ courses in municipal government. “I’m the only one sitting up there who has done that,” he said. “With me, you know what you get.”

Goltzené agreed that he will have to learn how to be a politician. “He already is a professional politician,” he said of Lipp. “He knows how to triangulate every issue in the room. If you’d like a change, I’m the change. I’d appreciate your vote. I’ll do a good job for you.”

pants often form teams within the community to help with fundraising.

“The kids use the Internet,” Meyers said. “They walk around with jars of change — anything they can do to reach $100.”

Then, on March 25, participants will either shave their head or cut their hair during a ceremony as a measure of solidarity with those suffering from pediatric cancers, treatment of which often causes children to lose their hair.

But you don’t have to be affiliated with either school to help make a difference. Wellington Kids Care is hoping to find participants from throughout Wellington and its surrounding communities.

“It’s a Wellington event,” Meyers said. “Anyone who wants to help — parents, children, senior citizens — can shave their head.

Our oldest shavee last year was 78 years old.”

St. Baldrick’s was formed in 2000 by three reinsurance executives who turned a St. Patrick’s Day party into a head-shaving event to benefit kids with cancer.

Though they hoped to raise $17,000, the event brought in more than $104,000 and spurred the world’s largest volunteer-driven fundraiser for childhood cancer research.

In the program’s 10-year existence, more than 174,000 volunteers have shaved their heads and raised more than $90 million for cancer research as part of the St. Baldrick’s Foundation.

“St. Baldrick’s supports cancer research at major research institutions around the country,” Meyers said. “They also fund up-andcoming doctors in their research.”

Wellington High School began

its own St. Baldrick’s fundraiser three years ago, and Palm Beach Central followed suit two years ago. But now the schools are seeking the help of the community to make their event the best the area has seen.

“When it started [at PBCHS], I thought it would be something minor,” Meyers said. “I thought we’d get four or five guys to shave their heads. But it just took off.”

In addition to involving local elementary and middle schools by holding “dollar for no collar” days and other events, Wellington Kids Care is hoping to draw “shavees” from the community and bring Wellington together for a great cause.

“It’s not just students who are shaving their heads,” Workman said. “It’s teachers, it’s parents — anyone who wants to do it.”

Those with longer hair who

don’t wish to shave their heads can raise money through Locks of Love, an organization that makes wigs for needy children suffering from long-term medical hair loss.

Whether participants choose to cut their hair or shave their head, all proceeds benefit the St. Baldrick’s Foundation.

But if you’re not looking for a shorter hairdo, you can still participate.

“One thing that people don’t understand is that you don’t have to cut or shave your hair to participate,” PBCHS committee member Jimmy Palmer said. “No one has to touch your hair. You can just raise money and keep your hair.”

Meyers agreed. “You’re still making the contribution by raising funds,” he said. “And that’s what this is really about.”

In past events, the two schools have raised more than $200,000

collectively, and hope that by getting the community involved, the event will be bigger than ever.

Palm Beach Central High School led the nation last year with more than 230 students and faculty members going bald, raising more than $80,000.

This year already, 300 volunteers have signed up to shave their heads. Wellington Kids Care has set a goal of raising $100,000.

“The first two years we did it, we surpassed our own expectations,” Palmer said. “We don’t see why we can’t go over $100,000 this year. A lot of people are really excited about it.”

For more information, or to join in the event, contact Don Meyers at meyersdo@palmbeach.k12. fl.us or (561) 304-1000. To sign up, join a team or make a donation, visit www.stbaldricks.org/ events/wellingtonkidscare.

Loxahatchee Groves Town Council challenger Tom Goltzené and incumbent Dennis Lipp.

PHOTO BY R ON BUKLEY/TOWN-CRIER

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March 4 - March 10, 2011

GINGRICH SPEAKS AT LINCOLN DAY DINNER

NEWS BRIEFS Lecture On Joint Surgery At RPB Cultural Center Palms West Hospital orthopedic surgeon Dr. Dana Desser will offer a presentation on joint surgery Friday, March 4 at 2 p.m. at the Royal Palm Beach Cultural Center (151 Civic Center Way).

Desser will discuss the before and after of joint surgery. If you are contemplating joint surgery and need answers beforehand, this presentation is an opportunity. For more info., call (561) 790-5149.

The Republican Club of Palm Beach County hosted its Lincoln Day Dinner on Thursda y, Feb. 24 at the Kravis Center for the Performing Arts. The keynote speaker was former Speaker of the U.S. House of Representatives Newt Gingrich. He addressed the more than 800 party members and guests, including local, state and federal officials. For more info., visit www.pbcgop.org. (Above) Gingrich addresses the dinner audience. (Below) Chris Ruddy of Newsmax, Jack Furnari, John R. Smith of BizP ac and Llwyd Ecclestone.

PHOTOS BY CAROL PORTER/TOWN-CRIER

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This Sunday Is Mitzvah Day In Wellington Members of Temple Beth Torah in Wellington are taking action to improve their community by partnering with the Village of Wellington for Mitzvah Day on Sunday, March 6.

From 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., approximately 200 volunteers will participate in a variety of service projects, including painting fire hydrants, preparing mailings for Wellington events and neighborhood outreach, painting the restrooms at the Wellington Dog Park, mulching around trees at Village Park and painting a disabled veteran’s home.

“Mitzvah is a Hebrew word that means doing a good deed,” Temple Beth Torah’s Rabbi Stephen Pinsky said. “Our congregational effort to do good deeds for our community can make the community a better place for all of us and

for our children.”

This is the second year Wellington is partnering with Temple Beth Torah for Mitzvah Day. To learn more about other volunteer opportunities, call Wellington Volunteer Coordinator Kimberly Henghold at (561) 791-4137.

Attendees are encouraged to bring blankets or chairs, as well as food and drinks. There also will be food and merchandise vendors available. For more information about these events, visit www. peterslivingroom.com or call Peter Wein at (561) 827-4223.

Music, Comedy Showcase Events In Wellington

Wellington Seniors Club Event March 27

WEI Network and the Internet radio show Peter’s Living Room, in conjunction with the Village of Wellington, have announced the Songwriters Showcase and Laugh Out Loud events for March.

The Songwriters Showcase will take place Sunday, March 6 from noon to 4 p.m. at the Wellington Amphitheater (12100 W. Forest Hill Blvd.).

Sponsors include Wellington Dental, and the lineup features Carly Bak, Jordan Cherkinsky, Steve Minotti, Rick Seguso, Marie Nofsinger, Valerie C. Wisecracker, Suzanne Cannon and Kath Bloom. Songwriters Showcase events take place the first Sunday of each month.

This month’s “Laugh Out Loud” comedy show will take place Friday, March 11 from 7:30 to 9:30 p.m. at the Wellington Amphitheater. The lineup includes Neil Berliner (master of ceremonies), Anthony Monte, Alan Shuman, Joe Dewayne, Lenny Travis, Doug Almeida and Wayne Felber, as well as some special guests.

“Laugh Out Loud” shows take place the second Friday of each month.

The Wellington Seniors’ Club is looking forward to an evening of dinner and entertainment at “The Rod Stewart Show” to be held Sunday, March 27 from 6 to 10 p.m. at the Binks Forest Golf Club.

Rod Stewart will be capably impersonated by George Orr, who bears an incredible resemblance to Stewart. There also will be dancing with music provided by DJ Al Boston. Some reservations are still available and are open for members and non-members. Admission is $25 for members and $35 for non-members. For reservations, call Mary Alfalla at (561) 784-0119.

The Wellington Seniors’ Club was established in 1992 and incorporated in 2000 as an association for Wellington seniors age 55 and older to meet, travel and socialize. There are more than a dozen trips planned annually to theaters and other show venues.

The club membership is open to any current Wellington resident 55 or older. To join, contact Sally Schwartz at (561) 7938735 for membership application.

RPB Seeks Volunteers For Boards The Village of Royal Palm Beach will soon have positions available on various volunteer boards and commissions whose terms are set to expire at the end of March.

There will be one seat available on the Planning & Zoning Commission, which meets on the fourth Tuesday of each month; five seats on the Recreation Advisory Board, which meets on the third Monday of each month; and five seats on the Education Advisory Board, which meets on the second Monday of each month.

Village residents who would like to be considered by the Royal Palm Beach Village Council to serve on any one of these boards/ commissions can either stop by the village clerk’s office to pick up an application or visit the village’s web site at www.royalpalmbeach. com, go to “Departments and Division,” then the “Clerk’s Office” section and click on downloaded forms to “Boards & Committees.”

The file is available in PDF format.

The completed application should be returned to the village clerk’s office no later than March 25 for council consideration at its April 7 meeting. It is important to note the particular day of the week each of these boards/commissions meets to ensure your schedule matches.

For additional information, call the Royal Palm Beach Village Clerk’s Office at (561) 790-5102.

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Page 9

NEWS

Tax Collector Gannon Addresses Wellington Chamber Members

By Carol Porter Town-Crier Staff Report Palm Beach County Tax Collector Anne Gannon was the guest speaker at the Wellington Chamber of Commerce luncheon Wednesday, Feb. 23 at the Wanderers Club at Wellington.

Previously a member of the Florida House of Representatives, Gannon was elected tax collector in 2006 with the goal of modernizing, streamlining and professionalizing the agency’s operation.

She was re-elected in 2008 to a four-year term.

Gannon is responsible for the collection of over $3 billion in revenues, as well as the issuance of driver ’s licenses in Palm Beach County. The agency employs more than 250 people in a central office and six service offices throughout Palm Beach County.

In the last four years, Gannon said she and her staff have been trying to change the focus of the office so it is more customer and client oriented. They also are trying to retool the office so it is easier for people to use, offering numerous services at one convenient location.

“We believe that our clients are the most important people in our office,” Gannon said. “We’ve had a lot on our plate over the past four years. We implemented a new property tax system. Part of the challenges are well known for those of you who work in software development, and that’s the way

the records are stored. We are still working on those challenges.

Those problems are almost resolved.”

Gannon noted that taking over the issuance of driver’s licenses has been a huge challenge for her organization. That is a task recently reassigned to county tax collectors by the Florida Legislature.

“I believe that it will be better for our clients that you get your driver’s license, title and registration, pay your property tax, and get your hunting and fishing license in one place, so you don’t have to run around to two or three different offices,” she said. “We also believe that the government that is best is that agency that works closest to the people.”

However, the new license procedures have led to long lines at Gannon’s offices. She said much of the problem is not so much the licenses themselves, but confusion over the new federal mandates requiring additional paperwork for issuing licenses.

As an added security protection, people are now required to show additional identification when renewing driver ’s licenses. This could include a birth certificate, Social Security card and/or other documentation. If people do not abide by the federal law, they will not be able to travel outside the state or enter a federal building.

Gannon said that some homeowners’ associations have put together a public education cam-

Judie Gibson is recognized by Bill Tavernise and Mark Bozicevic.

paign so that people will know what documents they need when they go to the tax collector’s office.

Gannon said that she has gotten negative feedback about the new rules, but since they are federal regulations, they must be followed. “I know that many people think we can change those requirements,” Gannon said. “We can’t change them.”

Meanwhile, Gannon is working to correct the wait time problem.

“The biggest issue that we have is that people show up at our office without the appropriate documentation,” she said.

Also speaking at last week’s luncheon was Judie Gibson, corporate partnership and business development representative for Roger Dean Stadium.

Gibson encouraged chamber members to take in a ball game in the near future and participate in any of the many other activities at Roger Dean Stadium.

“We are host to two Major League Baseball teams, the Florida Marlins and the St. Louis Cardinals, and host to two minor league teams, the Jupiter Hammerheads and the Palm Beach Cardinals,” Gibson said. “We also host weddings and business meetings at the park. We ask you to come out and have a good time. I would like to personally invite you to attend a spring training game.”

Wellington is not far from the stadium, she said, adding that 10,000 fans from St. Louis come to visit the stadium every year.

“They stay and spend money in Palm Beach County,” Gibson said.

“They support our businesses in Palm Beach County. We have events that happen every single day at the park.”

In other business, Palm Beach Central High School teacher Don Meyers made a presentation on the upcoming St. Baldrick’s Foundation fundraiser that Palm Beach Central and Wellington high schools usually do separately to raise money for pediatric cancer research. This year, WHS and PBCHS are teaming up and holding the event Friday, March 25 at Wellington Village Park on Pierson Road.

“We have been holding St. Baldrick’s events for three years in Wellington,” said Meyers, faculty advisor for the Key Club.

“Combined, we have raised over

Palm Beach County Tax Collector Anne Gannon is recognized by Mark Bozicevic, Mike Nelson and Bill Tavernise at last week’s Wellington Chamber luncheon.

PHOTOS BY CAROL PORTER/TOWN-CRIER

(L-R) Palm Beach Central High School students Christie Workman and Peri Diamond, and faculty advisor Don Me yers, invite chamber members to get involved in the St. Baldrick’s Foundation fundraiser on March 26 at Village Park in Wellington. $200,000. During the last two years, PBCHS has been the number-one high school in the nation.

Last year, we raised over $80,000 for pediatric cancer research.”

The next chamber luncheon will be March 16, where the chamber will give its the Business Excellence Award to Phelps Media Group and Best Emerging Business Award to the Wellness Experience of Wellington. The new chamber board will also be installed at that luncheon.

For more information about the Wellington Chamber of Commerce, call (561) 792-6525 or visit www.wellingtonchamber.com.

Wycliffe Charities Hosts Annual Outing March 7 On Monday, March 7, Wycliffe Charities will host its annual golf outing. For those who are looking to participate, there are various levels of sponsorship, ranging from $100 to $5,000.

The day will be full of fundraising events, such as a shotgun best ball golf tournament, tennis round robin tournament, lunch, silent auction and raffle. The pro-

ceeds will go to help local health and children’s organizations in Palm Beach County.

Since its inception in 1993, Wycliffe Charities has donated close to $1,000,000 to local charitable organizations.

For more information on sponsorship or donation opportunities, contact Sue Webber at nswebber@gmail.com.

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NEWS

LOCAL CHILDREN ENJOY ROTARY CLUB CARNIVAL AT WELLINGTON GREEN PARK The Wellington Rotary Club hosted a carnival Feb. 24-27 at Wellington Green Park in Wellington, located near the Mall at Wellington Green. The child-friendly event was full of games and rides, as well as carnival food such as cotton candy, candy apples, popcorn and soda.

PHOTOS BY DENISE FLEISCHMAN/T OWN-CRIER

Vincent Peterson tests his strength.

Tatiana and Taina Martin ride the Paratrooper.

Blythe Ruppel and Franki Dildabanian on the Super Shot.

Ava and Zane Patrick ride the Caterpillar.

Maddox Noll runs inside the ball.

Christian and Chase Young ride the carousel.

ROYAL PALM BEACH DESSERT CABARET PERFORMANCE PAYS TRIBUTE TO DIVAS The Royal Palm Beach Parks & Recreation Depar tment presented the “Desser t Cabaret” show Saturday, Feb. 26 at the Royal Palm Beach Cultural Center. The event was a tribute to music made famous by Barbra Streisand, Bette Midler and Carole King featuring Melissa Jacobson, Shelley Keelor and Missy McArdle.

PHOTOS BY DENISE FLEISCHMAN/T OWN-CRIER

Missy McArdle, Melissa Jacobson and Shelley Keelor perform.

Pansy Jackson, Sermo Barracks, Edward Newman, Yvonne Brewster, Beverley Newman, Elet Cyris and Bibi Daligadu.

Phyllis Katz, Iris Levin and Jewel Large.

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Experience the tradition

USPA Piaget Gold Cup February 27th-March 20th Purchase Tickets Online | internationalpoloclub.com Club Line | 561.204.5687 Piaget Ambassador and American Polo Player, Nic Roldan

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NEWS

ANNUAL LUSITANO COLLECTION HORSE AUCTION HELD AT JIM BRANDON CENTER

The annual Lusitano Collection International Horse Auction was held Saturday, Feb. 26 at the Jim Brandon Equestrian Center.

Guests were treated to a night of dinner, cocktails, entertainment and a chance to buy a rare horse breed. For more info., visit www.lusitanocollection.com.

PHOTOS BY LAUREN MIRĂ“/T OWN-CRIER

Gene and Jane Rainis with dressage rider Tuny Page and her husband David.

Robert Fulks Jr., Tara Jacobs, Patti Kupczky, Lori Hemings and Leah Winston.

Nancy Kempe, shown with her new horse Cupido Interagr o, is presented a custom saddle by Cary Wallace of Custom Saddlery. Wallace is joined by his daughter Ava.

Rider Heather Bender with a Ferrari.

Sheryl Kusar and Marcel Van Der Burgh.

Brazilian dancers get ready for the show.

ROYAL MANOR NURSING HOME IN RPB CELEBRATES BLACK HISTORY MONTH Royal Manor Nursing Home in Royal Palm Beach concluded its celebration of Black History Month with a luncheon Wednesday, Feb. 23. Throughout February, Royal Manor held weekly activities including trivia games, live music, poetry and skit performances, and more.

PHOTOS BY DENISE FLEISCHMAN/T OWN-CRIER

Suzanne Paul, Schwanda Morgan, Bertine Laurette and Rose Saunders enjoy lunch.

Event Committee: Sylvia Ellis, Donna Wilson, Sharrell Johnson, Annie Turner and Schwanda Morgan.

Administrator Grace Achille, Lazaro Garcia, Julette Browne, Dee Abraham and Hope Holden.

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Page 17

POLO & EQUESTRIAN

Lechuza Defeats Valiente To Claim 2011 C.V. Whitney Cup At IPC It was a thrilling Sunday at the International Polo Club Palm Beach on Feb. 27 as Lechuza defeated Valiente 10-9 in the finals of the 2011 C.V. Whitney Cup. Lechuza set the pace and took control early with goals from team captain Victor Vargas and Sapo Caset. Ten-goaler Juan Martin Nero made it 3-0 with a goal to open the second chukker, but Valiente responded with a goal from 8-goaler Polito Pieres and a penalty goal from Miguel Astrada.

Vargas scored his second goal of the day to end the second chukker with Lechuza holding a 4-2 advantage. Nero converted a 60yard penalty shot in the third and got a goal from the field from Caset. Valiente was limited to a single goal from Pieres and left the field at the end of the first half trailing 6-3.

Martin Espain’s first goal of the game put Lechuza on top 7-3 in fourth, but that would be their last goal of the chukker. Nacho Astrada and his brother Miguel each scored a goal to cut the Lechuza lead to 7-5. Espain and Nero each added another goal in the fifth, with Valiente limited to a single goal from Miguel Astrada.

With one chukker left to be played, Lechuza led 9-6. Nacho Astrada opened the sixth chukker with a goal, but Vargas responded with his third goal on the day. Two goals from Pieres brought Valiente to within a goal of Lechuza, 10-9, but time ran out on the rally, and Lechuza Caracas took top honors in the 2011 C.V. Whitney Cup, the first tournament in American polo’s revered triple crown.

Polo continues this Sunday at IPC. Purchase your tickets now at www.internationalpoloclub.com.

Special guests Ali Fedotowsky from ABC’s The Bachelorette (center) with her fiancé Roberto Martinez (left) and IPC President of Club Operations John Wash.

IPC visitors enjoyed a special dressage demonstration during halftime. The World Dressage Masters Palm Beach presented by the International Polo Club P alm Beach will take place at the Jim Brandon Equestrian Center on March 9-11.

PHOTOS COURTESY LILA PHOTO

Ward Triumphs In $78,000 Fidelity Investments CSI 2* Grand Prix The FTI Winter Equestrian Festival featured an exciting victory for McLain Ward and Pjotter Van De Zonnehoeve last Saturday night in the $78,000 Fidelity Investments CSI 2* Grand Prix.

Riders representing 12 different countries made up the international field, and they showed over a course designed by Olaf Petersen Jr. of Germany. Thirty-seven entries began the class, and seven were able to jump clear in the first round. An exciting jump-off followed, as some of the best riders in the world battled for top honors. The United States took home the top three places with Olympians McLain Ward, Beezie Madden and Margie Engle leading the class.

A father and daughter each riding for France, Marie and Michel Hecart, were the first two riders to jump clear over the first round course to advance to the jumpoff. Marie rode Myself De Breve, owned

by Haras De La Rogue, through the jumpoff course with eight faults in 44.72 seconds to finish in sixth. Michel and Babbe Van’t Roosakker, also owned by Haras De La Rogue, immediately followed and jumped in 46.44 seconds with four faults at the last fence to place fourth.

Schuyler Riley and South Beach Stables’ Lapacco returned next and finished with four faults in 48.57 seconds to finish in fifth place. Madden and Coral Reef Via Volo were the first pair to jump double clear and stopped the clock in 42.81 seconds to take the lead, eventually finishing in second place.

Engle returned next with Indigo, owned

by Griese, Garber, Hidden Creek and Gladewinds, but an unfortunate rail at the

second to last fence cost the duo four faults, and their time of 45.13 seconds landed in third place.

Ward really wanted the win after finishing second in several Grand Prix classes over the WEF circuit. That motivation led to a fast, clear ride aboard Louisburg Farm’s Pjotter Van De Zonnehoeve to top the leaders. Ward and Pjotter stopped the clock in 42.08 seconds, the fastest round of the night.

The final competitor in the jump-off was Ireland’s Shane Sweetnam and his mount Amaretto D’Arco, owned by Spy Coast Farm. Three rails cost the pair 12 faults and they finished in seventh place.

Sweetnam was fast in the jump-off to gain victory in the $8,000 G&C Farm 1.45m Jumpers with Little Emir, owned

by Spy Coast Farm. Sweetnam and Little Emir went fast around a jump in the turn back to a combination, while others took a difficult inside turn. They finished the shortened course in 37.489 seconds for the win. Just behind them in 37.863 seconds for second place were Enrique Gonzalez and Katina. Third place went to Pablo Barrios with Costa, owned by Nathalie Mathers, in 38.871 seconds.

The $31,000 WEF Challenge Cup Round 7 saw a total of 59 entries with 16 jumping clear to return for the jump-off.

After arriving in Wellington just three days ago, California’s Richard Spooner and his top mount Cristallo galloped to victory over the talented field.

Seven of the 16 returnees jumped clear over the short course. Scott Brash and Bon Ami, owned by Liz McTaggart, blazed the leading clear round going sec-

ond in the jump-off and stopping the clock in 41.91 seconds. That time would hold up through eight rounds until Kent Farrington and Valhalla, owned by Haity McNerny, entered the ring and crossed the timers in 41.52 seconds.

Immediately following, Spooner and Cristallo flew through the course in 40.39 seconds to take over the lead. Ward and Sagamore Farm’s Rothchild did their best to steal the lead, but finished just fractions behind in a time of 40.51 seconds.

In the end, Spooner and Cristallo came out on top with Ward and Rothchild in second, Farrington and Valhalla in third and Brash and Bon Ami in fourth.

Enrique Gonzalez and Katina were the winners last Friday afternoon in the $31,000 G&C Farm 1.45m Jumpers. The new class is part of an initiative to increase WEF’s FEI Rolex ranking classes. Thanks to the support of G&C Farm, owned by Gustavo and Carolina Mirabal, eight new FEI Rolex ranking classes were added to the schedule. There are now 27 ranking classes during the festival.

There were 55 entries in last Friday’s class, and it was run as a speed class. The course featured 12 numbered obstacles with three double combinations. The early leader in the class was G&C Sinatra and Pablo Barrios, who went first and set a time of 67.76 seconds. They would finish in fifth place.

Thirteen horses later, the lead changed hands when Eric Lamaze and Coriana van Klapscheut, owned by Artisan Farms LLC, finished the course. The little mare sped around the course and crossed the timers in 66.47 seconds. They would fin-

ish in second place. Ward and Rothchild placed third in 67.16 seconds, while Brianne Goutal and Ballade van het Indihof were just behind in 67.17 seconds for fourth place.

Meg O’Mara and Sinatra IV jumped to victory in the $15,000 Artisan Farms Young Riders Grand Prix last Friday night. Showing under the lights in the International Arena, O’Mara and Sinatra IV were the only pair to jump double clear in the evening’s class to earn top honors over a field of 54 starters.

The class was the second of four qualifiers for the EY Cup Finals, held at the FEI World Cup Finals in Leipzig, Germany. The top three riders at the conclusion of the series will have the opportunity to travel to Germany to compete. The third event, which is a team event, will be held Thursday, March 10 in the International Arena. The final $15,000 Artisan Farms Young Rider Grand Prix will be held on the grass derby field at the stadium on Sunday, March 20. Through their sponsorship, the Dutta Corporation & International Horse Transport will be shipping the winning horse to the finals and covering travel expenses for the highest scoring rider in the series.

Reed Kessler and Ligist returned first for the jump-off and set the standard with a fast time of 45.854 seconds, but an unfortunate rail at the last fence placed the pair in second.

O’Mara rode Sinatra IV into the ring next and jumped a fast, clear round to take the lead. The pair ’s time of 45.177 seconds and double clear rounds earned the victory.

Completing the jump-off, Chase Boggio and Hennessey had a rail at the second fence on course to earn four faults in a time of 47.929 seconds, finishing in third place.

Although she has finished second in both qualifiers so far, 16-year-old Kessler is currently in the lead for the series standings with her clear rounds aboard horses Onisha and Ligist.

Last Saturday, Emilie Martinsen took home the top prize in the $15,000 ECB Equine Spa High Amateur-Owner Jumper Classic.

WEF’s seventh week of competition concluded last Sunday afternoon with an exciting victory for Peter Wylde and Lipton D’Lothain in the $25,000 Suncast 1.50m Championship Jumper Series Classic. Wylde and his mount of six years, owned by Windward Farm and Jessica Siuda, mastered the jump-off course and galloped to the win.

Wylde and Lipton De L’Othain were the fastest of four double clear rounds and stopped the clock in 36.013 seconds for the win. Barrios and Nathalie Mathers’ Costa cleared the course in 37.384 seconds to finish in second place. Nick Skelton and Big Star, owned by Beverly and Gary Widdowson, finished in 37.844 seconds to earn third place, and Sergio Niento Del Rio galloped Fabiana Banco Del Bajio through the timers in 39.124 seconds to place fourth.

Elizabeth Boyd began the week with much success in the Pre-Green Three- and Four-Year-Old Hunters. Caroline Clark Morrison’s entry, Iron Station, was the See WEF WEEK 7, page 22

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SCHOOL NEWS

Western Pines Honors Students Of The Month

Fourth-grader Amy Garro with Diane Benson, Brian Brophy, Jennifer Brant and Michelina Rosario.

Western Pines Middle School Principal Robert Hatcher is proud to announce the students of the month for February. The students were selected by their math teachers for their contributions in and out of the classroom.

Sixth-grader Karina Soto Perez displays a high degree of integrity, responsibility and ambition.

She is considered a leader rather than a follower. In addition to her excellent scholastic accomplishments, Soto Perez is also an extremely dependable student. Her good judgment and mature outlook ensure a logical and practical approach to all her future endeavors.

Amanda Sirdar, from the sev-

enth-grade class, is considered by her teachers an extremely pleasant young lady. She has a great sense of humor and enjoys a healthy rapport with both her peers and teachers alike. Sirdar has a drive to succeed and excel academically as well as personally.

Her teachers feel she is a joy to have in class.

Eighth-grader Kayla McCauley is thought of as a wonderful student. She is always prepared and completes all of her work with a high standard. McCauley is also active in sports, playing for the school soccer team as well as on a travel team. She is respectful and polite to her teachers, and they feel she is a pleasure to have in class.

Students Of The Month — Kayla McCauley, Karina Soto Perez and Amanda Sirdar with Principal Bob Hatcher.

Palm Beach Central High School’s club Together Against Genocide (TAG) has started a fundraising campaign to raise money to build a school in Darfur, Africa.

PBCHS TAG members, along with faculty advisor Maureen Holtzer, have been fundraising for the victims of genocide in Darfur for the several years, but this is by far their largest undertaking to date.

The club has been accepted to participate in the Sister School Program as part of Darfur Dream

Team, an organization supported by the United Nations, Facing History Facing Ourselves, the Educational Partnership for Children of Conflict and others. TAG’s designated school is the Aboutalib B school in the Goz Amer refugee camp.

The Sister School Program offers Palm Beach Central a unique and powerful opportunity to educate the next generation of Darfuris and to foster long-lasting relationships with other students. Additionally, this project continues to confirm TAG’s longstanding mes-

sage to all that “What You Do Matters.”

The entire cost of building the school, including teacher training, equipment, books, classroom furniture, sports equipment and other needed items totals $57,000.

TAG is committed to raising as much of that money as possible, and the student response has been astounding.

A competition among Holtzer ’s classes managed to raise an astounding $1,500 in just three weeks, which does not include what other Palm Beach Central

Frontier Students ‘Jump Rope For Heart’ PBCHS Club Raises Money For Darfur School Frontier Elementary School held its eighth annual Jump Rope for Heart event on Monday, Feb. 14 to raise money for the American Heart Association. The event took place at the Frontier basketball court.

Physical education teacher Brian Brophy gave out Jump Rope for Heart packets so kids could raise money. He had also set up stations such as hula hoops, potato sack races, kangaroo jump, crab walk, and long and short jump rope.

At the end of the event, Brophy

had a group of six boys and six girls compete amongst themselves.

“I like to see the excitement on the children’s faces,” speech teacher Jennifer Brant said.

At the end of the day, children had smile on their faces and a day they will remember.

Brophy and Frontier’s PTO had a goal to raise over $2,464.

“I was pleasantly surprised we beat last year ’s Jump Rope for Heart donation amount considering the economy, but we were able to raise $2,878.63,” Brophy said.

students have raised around the campus.

Palm Beach Central’s TAG club will be holding fundraisers throughout the remainder of the school year and hope the community will participate. Find a link to the program at www.darfurdream team.org. To make a contribution, click on “join a team,” locate “Central Broncos Build Darfur” and contribute to the team.

For information on how to help out, contact Holtzer at (561) 3041000 or via e-mail at holtzer@ palmbeach.k12.fl.us.

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March 4 - March 10, 2011

Page 19

SCHOOL NEWS

Counseling Association Honors Seminole Ridge Assistant Principal Seminole Ridge High School Assistant Principal Maria Lloyd has been honored as the Palm Beach Counseling Association’s “High-School Site-Based Administrator of the Year.” Lloyd earned the award for her commitment to and support of the comprehensive school counseling program.

• Schwartz Earns Adobe Impact Award — Adobe Systems has recognized SRHS technology academy teacher Rob Schwarz as one of ten Impact Award for Adobe Education leaders.

“This is a huge honor, as this is a relatively new program and there are only 10 Impact Award winners worldwide so far,” Schwartz said.

“To be chosen is simply mind blowing.”

Adobe’s web site commends Schwartz for “employing innovative strategies and a student-directed approach to learning that have garnered his programs and students much recognition.”

In the SRHS technology academy, Schwartz teaches communications technology, and academy students make use of the entire Adobe Creative Suite to produce

print and design multimedia projects.

• Drucker Earns NFL Diamond — SRHS speech and debate coach Mierka Drucker has received her first Diamond Award from the National Forensic League, which promotes speech and debate activities as a means to develop students’ communication, leadership, cognitive, and presentational skills. The award recognizes excellence from coaches over time, based on the results of students coached and the number of students during a career. Each diamond represents more than 2,000 student speech performances or debates over five or more years. Drucker and fellow Diamond Award winners will receive special recognition this June at the league’s national tournament in Dallas.

• Hawks Hold Up in Sci Bowl — Seminole Ridge SECME students were fast with facts, formulas and fingers Feb. 22 at the Florida International University Science Bowl, where teams compete head to head in fast-paced Jeopardy! style.

FIELD DAY FOR NEW HORIZONS STUDENTS

SRHS sent two of the 25 teams from south Florida: its silver team (captain Edwin Keo, Arnold Banner, Justin Bishop, C.J. Galko, John Gonzalez and David Lopez) and its red team (captain Robert Botkin, Caitlin Miller, Duncan Miller, Joe Pavicic and Yiro Shimabukuro).

The silver Hawks correctly answered rapid-fire questions in physics, math, astronomy, biology, chemistry, energy and earth sciences to advance to the double elimination bracket, but fell in playoffs to Miami Palmetto and Cypress Bay high schools.

• District Recognizes Bartels as Role Model — As part of its celebration of Black History Month, the Palm Beach County School District has recognized Hawk senior Brian Bartels as one of its “remarkable student role models.”

In cooperation with the Council of Great City Schools, the district web site currently features students from the county’s high schools for their outstanding accomplishments.

Bartels plans to attend the University of Florida, studying zool-

ogy and chemistry with the goal of earning a doctorate in veterinary medicine.

• Hawk Battalion Wins Silver — On Feb. 19, the Army JROTC Hawk Battalion’s drill team and color guard competed at Jupiter High School against five other schools from Palm Beach and Martin counties.

With Cadet Second Lieutenant Jonathan Fernandez, Cadet Sergeant Major Ian McIntee, Cadet Major Ian Banks and Cadet Second Lieutenant Timothy Ruback — “and some hard practice,” according to JROTC instructor Hans Hunt — “our color guard came in an astounding second place.”

The Hawk drill team and color guard now prepare for the regional meet at Fort Pierce, where they will compete against 18 schools in this state qualifier.

• Hawk Teacher Publishes Hurston Bio — SRHS English teacher Virginia Lynn Moylan has written a biography, published by the University Press of Florida, dealing with the final years of 20th-century American writer and folklorist Zora Neale Hurston,

Seminole Ridge SECME students in Miami for the Science Bowl. most famous for her novel Their Eyes Were Watching God. Containing 10 years of painstaking research, Moylan’s biography, Zora Neale Hurston’s Final Decade, reveals new facts about this pillar of American literature, including her role in the design and marketing of the first black baby doll to be sold and manufactured in the U.S. In addition to filling in the missing pieces of Hurston’s life story, Moylan includes

never-before-published interviews with the writer’s friends, students and colleagues.

• ‘La Gioconda’ Trash Can Wins $250 — SRHS was one of 10 winners in the ArtiGras barreldecorating contest “Recycling Is an Art.” The Hawks’ Mona Lisa design earned a $250 award to be used for the purchase of art supplies. The school congratulates Hawk artists and art teacher Gwenn Seuling.

Poinciana Hosts Grandparents & Visitors Day Poinciana Day School recently held its annual Grandparents and Special Visitors Day event, which was attended by over 125 special guests.

The event began with a special principal’s tea, followed by an allschool student performance, and concluded with refreshments and special activities in the classrooms.

The theme of the event “The Blues Brothers on a Mission for Grandparents” found all the students in Blues Brothers attire including white shirts with black ties, black fedoras and black sun-

glasses. The lead characters and announcers, eighth-grader Brendan Quinlan of West Palm Beach and seventh-grader Thomas Wingate of Loxahatchee, arrived onstage with a Blues Brothers-style car. They were accompanied by sixth-grader Seth Ackerman on guitar and eighth-grader Blaise Vance on keyboards.

The special event was organized by music teachers Jorie Osuna and Wayne Perry. Props were made by art teacher Cheryl Scott and seventh-graders Kaitlyn Rivers, Juli Cooper and Maeve A’Hearn, and eighth-grader Catherine Alston.

Poinciana’s third-grade “Blues Brothers” prepare for the Grandparents and Special Visitors Day event.

Pierce Hammock Holds Saturday Writing Camp New Horizons Elementary School students recently celebrated physical fitness and sportsmanship through their annual Field Day. The student body gathered in the morning to participate in individual events including the 50-yard dash, jump rope competition, water-balloon toss, slalom run and crab walk. In the afternoon, classes competed by grade level in races including baton relay, hippity-hop relay, bucket stacking, w ater bucket filling and tug-of-war. “This is the cherished day of the school year,” said physical education teacher Sue Duncan, who planned the event.

Shown above competing in tug-of-war are fourth-graders Madison Townsend, Jadzia Milian, Maddy Thibault, Amber Lombardo, Katarina Alvarez, Tabria Josey and Isabella Colon.

Pierce Hammock Elementary School recently held a Saturday Writing Camp that attracted more than 70 fourth-graders. The camp provided students with writing tips and additional training for the upcoming FCAT Writes.

To make the Saturday Writing Camp a complete success, Arlyncia Suarez, Barbara Glaff and Amanda Moore volunteered their time. During the sessions, students

learned different strategies such as identify the main idea, write supporting and concluding sentences, and relate ideas within their writing.

“It is positive and unusual for a voluntary Saturday school to be this successful,” Principal John Carvelli said. “This shows that parents, students, teachers and school administration are all serious about student achievement

and good performance on upcoming tests.”

Students made writing folders and learned to gather, analyze, organize and interpret information not only useful for the FCAT but for the rest of their lives. At the end of the camp, students and teachers enjoyed a party with pizza and prizes.

The School District of Palm Beach County provides a curric-

ulum that exposes students to a variety of writing models and methodologies. Students learn to be independent writers, develop an understanding of multiple genres, and gain writing fluency and stamina.

For more information, contact Assistant Principal Christie Schwab at (561) 633-4505 or via e-mail at schwabc@palmbeach. k12.fl.us.

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PALMS WEST PEOPLE

Buchanan Named Catering Director At Binks

Momentum Dance Company members Sarah Masengill, Quinn Van Popering and Christina Kohlbeck at the South Florida Fair.

Dance Stars Shine At Local Performances

The award-winning Momentum Dance Company from Dance Arts Conservatory loves performing at local and surrounding events.

Recent performances include the Binks Forest Elementary School carnival, Winterfest at the Wellington Amphitheater and the South Florida Fair.

Upcoming performances include dancing at the Royal Palm Art & Music Festival, St. Peter’s United Methodist Church Spring Fair and Dancing on the Diamond at a Florida Marlins game. They will also be competing at the Starpower National Talent Competition in late April.

Senior company members are Christina Kohlbeck, Jordyn

Kelley, Sarah Marsengill, Carlie Niedzwiedzki, Alexandra Ramey, Andrea Rojas, Allison Terry, Cassandra Wiesner and Quinn Van Popering.

Junior company members are Gina Bernstein, Layla Chalifoux, Sarah Cirincione, Nyla George, Tori Rosenthal, Devan Solomon, Allyson Steinberg and Lara Symons. The dancers perform to “Love Is a Crime,” “Up” and “The Climb.”

Dance Arts Conservatory is located at 11260 Fortune Circle Suite J1, Wellington. The studio is currently accepting registration for the summer dance session.

For additional information, call (561) 296-1880 or visit www. danceartsconservatory.com.

Whitney Buchanan has recently joined the team at the Binks Forest Golf Club in Wellington as the new director of catering. Her main focus at Binks Forest will be on the planning and management of all social and corporate events.

From weddings and bar/bat mitzvahs to golf tournaments and corporate meetings, Buchanan will be overseeing and ensuring success for all types of events.

Buchanan comes to Binks Forest from the Outer Banks of North Carolina where she began gaining her knowledge of the catering and special events industry by study-

ing hospitality management at East Carolina University.

While in North Carolina, Buchanan worked at several highend establishments such as the Sanderling Resort & Spa and Duck Woods Country Club. She also worked with All in the Details Event Planning where she planned numerous high-profile events such as the March of Dimes Chefs Auction.

In 2010, Buchanan relocated to Florida where she continued to expand her expertise of social and corporate events while working in the sales and catering department

at PGA National Resort & Spa in Palm Beach Gardens. While at PGA National, Buchanan had the opportunity to work on many high-profile events such as the PGA Tour ’s Honda Classic.

Buchanan has a true passion for the catering and special events industry, and feels that every event deserves the same dedication and attention to detail.

For information regarding the Binks Forest Golf Club, or to book a meeting or special event, call Buchanan at (561) 578-8206 or email her at wbuchanan@binks forestgc.com.

Whitney Buchanan

MAY WEDDING PLANNED FOR FREZZA AND MATIAS

Mark and Lisa Frezza of Wellington recently announced the engagement of their youngest daughter, Ashley Marie Frezza, to Eduardo Matias. Ashley attended Wellington High School and is a recent graduate of Kaplan University. She is currently employed as the executive administrative assistant to the senior vice president of real estate for a prestigious commercial real estate firm in Boca Raton.

Ashley and Eduardo will be married on May 7 in Fort Lauderdale.

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Page 21

PALMS WEST PEOPLE

A Fun-Filled Evening For All At Temple B’nai Jacob’s Game Night The home of Osi Mendelson and Dr. Jose Martinez in the Isles at Wellington was the site of Temple B’nai Jacob’s Game Night on Saturday, Feb. 26.

More than 60 temple members and friends enjoyed a night of games, hors d’oeuvres and cocktails in support of the temple. Attendees took part in spirited competition in games including Taboo, Apples to Apples, and Pictionary.

By far, the crowd favorite was when pairs took turns showing off their moves while playing Just Dance 2 on the Wii. B’nai Jacob has been holding an annual event for the past three years to give the congregants a

chance to socialize and have fun while raising funds.

Temple B’nai Jacob of Wellington is located in the original Wellington Mall at the southeast corner of Wellington Trace and Forest Hill Blvd. at 12794 W. Forest Hill Blvd., Suite 6. B’nai Jacob of Wellington is a dynamic, diverse religious community committed to traditional Judaism as interpreted by the Conservative Movement and is affiliated with the United Synagogue of Conservative Judaism.

For information about the temple, call (561) 793-4347. Leave a message if you do not reach anyone.

Game Night Committee: (front, L-R) Susan Feldman, Marcie Singer and Valerie Mendelsohn; (back) Osi Mendelson and Cari Sukienik.

Jane Binder and Herb Terry, who was celebrating his 92nd birthday.

Holland Graduates Air Force Training

Nancy Fontana-Greenf ield with her winning piece, Shadows.

Air Force Airman Alexander P. Holland recently graduated from basic military training at Lackland Air Force Base in San Antonio, Texas.

Holland completed an intensive, eight-week program that included training in military discipline and studies, Air Force core values, physical fitness, and basic warfare principles and skills.

Airmen who complete basic training earn four credits toward an associate’s degree in applied science through the Community College of the Air Force.

Holland is the son of Lisa Holland of Royal Palm Beach and a 2010 graduate of Royal Palm Beach High School.

Artist Tony Baker with A One Stop Garden Shop’s David Adams.

Fontana-Greenfield Wins People’s Choice Riccobono Completes Navy Basic Training At Winter Art Show Wellington artist Nancy Fontana-Greenfield, a member of both the Wellington and Lake Worth art societies, recently participated in the winter show of the Lake Worth Art Society.

For the second consecutive year, she was awarded the People’s Choice Award for this year’s work, titled Shadows. Approximately 25 local artists participated in the annual event, held in downtown Lake Worth.

Fontana-Greenfield recently donated four works of framed re-

ligious art to be displayed at St. Therese de Lisieux Catholic Church in Wellington.

Visit the Wellington Art Society web site at www.wellington artsociety.org for additional information on Fontana-Greenfield and to view some of her art works. The Wellington Art Society is open to artists of all mediums and patrons of the arts, providing both local and regional artists the platform to share their work, learn more about their craft and serve the community through their art.

Navy Seaman Recruit Anthony S. Riccobono, son of Lisa and Gennaro Riccobono of Wellington, recently completed U.S. Navy basic training at Recruit Training Command in Great Lakes, Ill. During the eight-week program, Riccobono completed a variety of training, which included classroom study and practical instruction on naval customs, first aid, firefighting, water safety and survival, and shipboard and aircraft safety. An emphasis was also placed on physical fitness.

Alexander Holland

The capstone event of boot camp is “Battle Stations.” This exercise gives recruits the skills and confidence they need to succeed in the fleet. It is designed to galvanize the basic warrior attributes of sacrifice, dedication, teamwork and endurance in each recruit through the practical application of basic Navy skills and the core values of honor, courage and commitment.

Riccobono is a 2010 graduate of Palm Beach Central High School.

Baker’s Art Work Featured At A One Stop Garden Shop Local modern realist painter Tony M. Baker is currently displaying and selling his acrylic-oncanvas paintings at A One Stop Garden Shop Inc. (1950 A Road, Loxahatchee Groves).

Baker is a member of the Wellington Art Society and the Art Alliance of Jupiter, and has been a portfolio member at www. absolutearts.com since 2007.

Some of his work can be seen at his web site at www.tonybaker studio.com.

A One Stop Garden Shop is a wholesale/retail garden center with a wide variety of products, including sod mulch rock soil sand fill plants trees, shop owner David Adams said.

For more information, visit www.aosgsinc.com.

Send Palms West People items to: The Town-Crier Newspaper, 12794 W. Forest Hill Blvd., Suite 31, Wellington, FL 33414. Fax: (561) 793-6090.

E-mail: news@goTownCrier.com.

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March 4 - March 10, 2011

The Town-Crier

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NEWS

Groves Council Sends Southern Blvd. Changes To DCA For Approval

By Ron Bukley Town-Crier Staff Report The Loxahatchee Groves Town Council agreed Tuesday to send ordinances amending its comprehensive plan to the Florida Department of Community Affairs. The changes would allow multiple land uses on two pieces of property on the north side of Southern Blvd., east and west of B Road.

The approved amendments are to the town’s interim comp plan.

Based on the county’s comp plan, the interim comp plan is the document currently in effect for the town. The council tabled a similar set of amendments to the town’s adopted comp plan. That document is currently in limbo until objections from CalleryJudge Grove are resolved.

Town Attorney Michael Cirullo said that DCA officials called town offices last week and “confirmed that they feel what can be transmitted to them for their review are the ones related to the currently effective comprehensive plan.”

Town Planner Jim Fleischmann said that if the amendments were approved, there still would be several steps to go through, the most critical of which are review by the DCA and the subsequent Objections, Recommendations and Comment (ORC) report.

“They would solicit comments from several other state agencies and the [Treasure Coast] Regional Planning Council,” he said.

“Local governments also get a chance to make comment on the process at that point.”

Fleischmann said the county’s plan has a multiple land use designation, but he recommended modifications so it would be consistent with the town’s adopted comprehensive plan. Two other amendments would change the land use maps for the proposed developments, the Loxahatchee Groves Commons and Solar Sportsystems properties, which are just under 100 acres each.

Fleischmann explained that the town’s comp plan has several different directives regarding devel-

opment in the Southern Blvd. corridor, including creation of a town center with retail, offices and job opportunities, single-family housing, institutional use and the extension of Tangerine Drive to make it a local road so residents do not have to get on Southern Blvd. in order to traverse the southern portion of town. He noted that the Florida Department of Transportation is limiting the number of access points to Southern.

Fleischmann recommended the multiple land use categories in order to avoid approvals of numerous small pieces of property. “By creating the multiple land use category, which applies to large parcels, we have the opportunity to create a relatively small number of master plans where we incorporate all these various directives and make sure they coordinate with each other,” he said, explaining that if it were done piecemeal on smaller parcels, it would be much more difficult. “The fact that we have these two large land use

plan amendments occurring at the same time on Southern actually gives the town a tremendous opportunity to implement all of these various directives that are in the town’s planning documents.”

Both applications originally requested three separate land use categories each, Fleischmann said.

“It was a staff recommendation to create a multiple land use category and apply it to these parcels so that we could best apply the town’s directives,” he said.

The council, sitting as the Local Planning Agency, recommended that single-family housing or a 300-foot buffer be put on roughly the northern half of the properties.

It also recommended that if housing is selected, it be clustered in order to maximize open space, Fleischmann said.

The LPA recommended that a minimum of one public workshop be conducted on the use of the property. The amendment also stipulates that the council can impose conditions on any use.

Loxahatchee Groves Com-

mons, on the east side of B Road, is requesting office space of about 132,000 square feet on the southwest corner, about 91,000 square feet of commercial retail on the southeast quadrant and 19 singlefamily homes on the northern half of the property. Solar Sportsystems, on the west side of B Road, is making a similar request, except for institutional use rather than residential on the northern part of the property.

Resident Grace Joyce said she felt a mixed use would be good for the town, but that the scale of use for the two properties is too intense.

“This will encourage development that is to the scale of Royal Palm Beach and Wellington, and I do not think that is consistent with rural development within our town,” Joyce said.

Vice Mayor Dennis Lipp did not believe all the intensity would be allowed due to traffic restrictions. “I’m not sure how much we can put there because Wellington, with their medical arts district at

the corner of Forest Hill Blvd. and State Road 7 has taken a CRALLS (Constrained Roadway at Lower Levels of Service) designation,” Lipp said. “I’m not sure there is any traffic capacity left for anything that the town may want to develop.”

Councilman Jim Rockett was concerned about any adoptions that might aggravate the town’s standing with the comp plan challenge from Callery-Judge Grove.

“Is there a need to do this right now?” he asked.

Cirullo stressed that this was first reading of the amendments and there would be ample time to work out details. “You’re not going to adopt it until we’ve finished the back and forth with DCA,” he said. “That could be several months off.”

Cirullo added that the amendments don’t do anything to the plan that is under challenge.

Loxahatchee Groves requires a four-vote majority for all land use changes, and all the amendments were approved 5-0.

World Dressage Masters Palm Beach March 11 At Jim Brandon Center As they watch top-class competition at the World Dressage Masters Palm Beach CDI5*, spectators will be treated to a complete Provençal experience.

A five-course meal inspired by the food and wine of Southern France will be served at tables around the edge of the competition arena, where 18 of the globe’s most highly trained horses perform the Dressage Grand Prix Freestyle to Music on the evening of Friday, March 11, the grand finale of the 2011 World Dressage Masters Palm Beach presented by International Polo Club Palm Beach.

Among the riders to appear at the World Dressage Masters Palm Beach are a number of Olympic and World Equestrian Games veterans, including the 2010 Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games Fre-

estyle U.S. bronze medalist Steffen Peters.

Preparations are underway to transform the Jim Brandon Equestrian Center on Forest Hill Blvd. into a scene straight out of Provence, while the chefs at International Polo Club Catering finalize the dishes and wine pairings for this extravagant gala evening.

“This is more than a dressage competition,” said Noreen O’Sullivan of event producer Wellington Classic Dressage. “It is an experience. The venue is going to look outrageous. For those who know the Jim Brandon Center, they won’t recognize it.”

When the World Dressage Masters Palm Beach was in danger of being cancelled for 2011, the Goodman family, International Polo Club Palm Beach and its

members stepped in to save the American leg of the world’s most prestigious dressage competition.

In the kind of style that has become expected of any IPC event, no expense has been spared in making the World Dressage Masters Palm Beach a unique and memorable experience for both participants and spectators.

The March 11 event is not the only social opportunity for ticket holders, who are invited to attend the reception following the FEI horse inspection on the afternoon of Wednesday, March 9 at the Jim Brandon Equestrian Center, as well as the competitors’ party following the Grand Prix competition on Thursday, March 10 at the Mallet Grill at IPC. Following the competition and awards presentation on March 11, there will be an after-party with a premium cash

bar and music provided by Miami’s Deejay Smeejay, who is well-known as IPC’s Sunday DJ. In addition to 18 competitors from the U.S., Canada and Europe, Dutch Olympian and Team World Equestrian Games gold medalist Hans Peter Minderhoud will give a master class presentation before the Grand Prix Freestyle on March 11. Minderhoud, who specializes in helping horses make the transition from Prix St. Georges and Intermediaire to the Grand Prix level, will work with two or three horses and their riders in a demonstration of his methods.

For information about tables and tickets at the World Dressage Masters Palm Beach presented by the International Polo Club Palm Beach, visit www.international poloclub.com.

No stranger to dressage, IPC has hosted the highly popular Challenge of the Americas for a number of years.

ESP’s Stone To Lead Children’s Therapy Center At Palms West Wellington Chamber Supports March 6 Autism Speaks Walk The Wellington Chamber of Commerce has announced that Michael Stone, president of Equestrian Sport Productions, will be installed this month as the 2011 president of the Wellington Chamber of Commerce.

Born and raised in Ireland, Stone manages Equestrian Sport Productions, the company that runs the FTI Winter Equestrian Festival. Once an international jumping rider for Ireland, Stone has served as manager of the Irish Olympic Team and was secretary general of the Equestrian Federation of Ireland for 10 years. He was managing director of his family’s horse feed business for five years before joining the Federation Equestre Internationale (FEI) in 1997 as development officer, working his way up to become FEI Secretary General.

Stone is a tennis player and golfer. He has also played soccer and rugby. Other interests include the cinema, cooking and travel.

The chamber’s installation and awards luncheon will be held Wednesday, March 16 at the Wanderers Club at Wellington. Regis-

Task Force

Issues With Residential

continued from page 1 other portion going to Seminole Ridge,” O’Brien said. “It depends on how that shakes out.”

The economic effect of a residential development would be the temporary creation of construction jobs, as opposed to a nonresidential use, which would mean more permanent employment. Residential construction would result in a larger population of consumers to patronize local businesses, O’Brien noted.

Vice Mayor Martha Webster asked about other types of residential housing such as zero lot line or multifamily homes, and O’Brien said his evaluation was based solely on the single-family model he had presented.

Blotter continued from page 6 urday, Feb. 19 and 7 a.m. last Friday, someone smashed out the victim’s sliding glass door. There were no suspects or witnesses at the time of the report.

MARCH 1 — A Wellington woman was arrested Tuesday evening on charges of drunken driving following a traffic accident near the intersection of Forest Hill Blvd. and Olive Drive.

According to a PBSO report, 35year-old Michele Philip was traveling eastbound on Forest

Michael Stone tration begins at 11:30 a.m. Individual tickets cost $20 for chamber members with an RSVP, $25 for members without an RSVP and $30 for non-members; space cannot be guaranteed the day of the event for walk-ins. VIP tables are available for $250.

For additional information, call the Wellington Chamber of Commerce at (561) 792-6525.

The Children’s Therapy Center at Palms West is proud to support the Autism Speaks Walk, which will take place Sunday, March 6 in downtown West Palm Beach.

The center’s therapists work closely with many children with autism, so they have a deep connection to the cause and are very enthusiastic in raising money and participating in the walk. To raise money for the walk, the team is selling Plushland bears, “puzzle pieces” and collecting general donations.

Children’s Therapy Center team captain Alyson Earnhardt said she got involved in the walk because

Letters continued from page 4 Northlake, the guard shacks would be torn down and all Jog Road traffic would be allowed to free flow in and out of PGA National. Now with the completion of Jog Road in sight, the folks at PGA National want to block traffic full time.

The county is currently con-

Task force member Joseph Boyle said he was concerned about the economic effect on the property of a cell phone tower and the county’s sewage transfer station at the northeast corner of the property, where a reverse-osmosis water filtration plant will also be built in the future.

“It may not be as viable for residential as we see there,” Boyle said. “You’ve got the cell tower there on probably the most lucrative part of land, and the water treatment plant, which at least psychologically you’re going to have to put up something so people don’t know it’s there. Although it is environmentally safe, people are always going to think there’s a potential [for pollution] there.”

O’Brien said the county site plan shows a 50-foot buffer and an 8-foot berm separating the plant site from the other property. “If you have ever visited a reverse-

osmosis system, all you’re going to hear is the air conditioner for the office space,” O’Brien said.

Task force member Richard Hedman asked whether having only one entrance to the development would create a bottleneck on Crestwood Blvd. and whether the road to the north could handle some of the traffic.

Webster pointed out that Royal Palm Beach Blvd. north of the site is not in the village.

“We have had concerns expressed from those in The Acreage about accessing that road, and we have told them that we would not have an entranceway from the north,” Webster said.

Eirikis questioned whether residential would be the best use for the property. “I’m kind of scratching my head,” he said. “We learned that the village is 100 percent built out, and this is the last big chunk of land. The village

Hill Blvd. when she caused a collision. While the deputy was conducting an investigation, Philip refused to participate in roadside tasks. According to the report, she appeared to be intoxicated, was unable to stand alone, had bloodshot, watery and glassy eyes and her speech was slurred. Philip was arrested and taken to the Palm Beach County Jail where she refused breath tests. She was charged with driving under the influence.

MARCH 1 — A deputy from the PBSO substation in Welling-

ton was dispatched to a home in the Greenview Shores community Tuesday regarding a residential burglary. According to a PBSO report, the victim left her sliding glass door unlocked overnight and sometime between 11 p.m. Monday and 6 a.m. the following morning, someone entered her home and stole her purse from the kitchen counter. The stolen purse contained the victim’s wallet and credit cards, and the stolen items were valued at approximately $300. There were no suspects or witnesses at the time of the report.

she cares about the children and families that she works with on a daily basis.

“As an occupational therapist, I work with many children who have autism,” she said. “I really care about my patients and their families and feel it is my duty to support them through active involvement and helping to raise funds for research to find a cure.”

For more information about the 2011 Palm Beach Walk Now for Autism Speaks, visit www.walk nowforautismspeaks.org or contact Jaclyn Merens at (800) 6106227 or 561-212-2935 or jmerens @autismspeaks.org.

Children’s Therapy Center at Palms West team leaders Megan Cabral, Alyson Earnhardt and Bob Rohack.

structing a new 45th Street bridge over Florida’s Turnpike to the new Jog Road.

When that is done, they plan to extend Jog Road from the south, where it currently ends at Roebuck Road, to 45th Street. After that, they will complete the section between the turnpike exit off the Beeline Highway to Northlake Blvd. This is all expected to be

completed in approximately five years.

Some of you may remember the deal with Haverhill Road through Steeplechase. In short, the taxpayers got shafted when the county effectively gave the road to Steeplechase, which promptly blocked it off with guard shacks. With that done, it was a legal precedent that allowed Ballen Isles to do the

same thing with Ballen Isles Drive, which was also Haverhill Road. Now PGA National wants the same kind of deal.

We can’t let that happen. It’s time to call our county commissioner and tell him that we don’t want to give any more of our roads away.

Dennis Hawkins The Acreage

owns this huge resource, and to me, to put it for residential is to put it to good use, rather than to let it lay fallow or going off the tax rolls, but I just can’t see why to lose that huge chunk of land, that huge potential, to $158,000 a year.”

Webster said those are considerations the task force will have to weigh.

“My position is to be a facilitator because these are your decisions, and what we are trying to do is put all options out on the table before you start whittling it down,” Webster said. “Once it is

developed, then you know what your revenues are. Once the revenues [from fees] are used up, what you have coming in are just your taxes.”

Boyle noted that the fees from the cell tower generate more revenue for RPB than an entire residential development.

Webster agreed that a residential tax base would be less, but it would be more stable. “Once it’s there, it’s there,” she said.

O’Brien pointed out that the village would also make money from the sale of the property, explaining that the property would most

likely be sold as a package to a developer.

Webster clarified that there would be three sources of income — the impact fees, ongoing property tax revenue and the sale proceeds.

Boyle said the value of the property could be determined using single-family residential as a benchmark. “If you went commercial, maybe it’s worth double,” he said. “We need to address that.”

Webster said more specific numbers would be available from the finance director at the next meeting.

five times. Wedell’s impressive record has led her to be a regular invite to the parade of champions on Sunday afternoons in the International Arena. She secured the week’s championship by winning three classes and placing second in another class.

Junior hunters were up next as competition moved into the weekend. Lillie Keenan was hard to beat aboard her two Large Junior Hunter entries. Keenan rode the Chansonette Farm entry, C Coast Z, to the championship. C Coast Z is an 11-year-old grey Warmblood gelding by Champion Du Lys. Keenan and C Coast Z won three classes and placed second in another to secure the division’s championship.

Keenan rode the Chansonette Farm entry Madison to the reserve championship as well. The pair

won two classes, placed second in one class and fifth in another to clinch the reserve tricolor.

The younger section of Small Junior Hunters, presented by Martha Jolicoeur and Illustrated Properties, awarded Victoria Colvin with the championship honor last Sunday. Colvin rode Ariel to the championship honors. Scott Stewart, who also trains Colvin, owns Ariel, a six-year-old Brandenburg mare. The winning pair secured the tricolor by winning a stunning four out of five classes in their division of nine entries. They placed fifth in the division’s remaining class.

The 2011 FTI Winter Equestrian Festival features 12 weeks of competition running through April 3. Visit www.equestriansport.com or call (561) 793-5867 for more information and complete results.

WEF Week 7

Hunter Results

continued from page 17 week’s champion. Iron Station is a four-year-old Rheinland PfalzSaar gelding. Iron Station and Boyd secured the championship by winning three of the division’s four classes and placing second in the remaining class. The pair topped a field of six entries for the tricolor honor.

The Roberto Coin Low Adult Hunters 2’6” Section A were next to have their championship spotlighted as the week continued.

Visse Wedell rode White Cap to the championship last week. Of the five weeks that Wedell has shown White Cap this year at WEF, she has been champion all

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NEWS

HANLEY CENTER FAMILY LUNCHEON RETURNS TO HORSE SHOW IN WELLINGTON The Hanley Center Foundation held its 16th annual Family Luncheon on Sunday, Feb. 27 at the Palm Beach International Equestrian Center in Wellington. The luncheon featured a silent auction, with proceeds going to support the programs offered by Hanley’s professional development and prevention depar tments. For more info., visit www.hanleycenter.org.

PHOTOS BY LAUREN MIRÓ/T OWN-CRIER

Susan Goldstein (third from the lef t) with family and friends.

Dr. Rachel Docekal with Tom Quick and Kim Coleman.

Sponsors Adam, Dan and Dan McCarthy Jr.

Susan, Danielle and Stuart Goldstein.

Event co-chair Kelly Moore and his daughter Lesly with one of the many animals in the kids corner.

The Rinker family enjoys the afternoon.

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The challenge of Rees Jones® and the comfort of The Breakers.

The Breakers Rees Jones® Course caters to every caliber of play featuring over 7,100 scenic yards. Along with legendary golf, Breakers West offers the finest country club amenities, with no assessment fees or food and beverage minimums, making membership a winning move.

ExclusiveGolf Amenities

Club Amenities

• Par-72 Rees Jones®-Designed Course • John Webster Golf Academy • Unparalleled Practice Facility • Renovated Clubhouse and Pro Shop

• Seven Har-Tru Tennis Courts • Olympic-size Pool • Fitness Center • Fitness Classes • Lounge & Grille • Dining & Wine Events • Family Night Out • Daily Happy Hour • Holiday Activities • Summer Camp

Members also enjoy select benefits at The Breakers Palm Beach.

For more information or to apply for membership, please call 561-653-6323 or visit www.breakerswestclub.com.

Owned and operated by The Breakers Palm Beach

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WEEKEND SCHEDULE $75,000 NATIONS CUP presented by

G & C Farm

The only Nations Cup in the USA

Friday, March 4 6:00 PM PRO Derby Cross Saturday, March 5 at 5:30 PM

$150,000 Grand Prix FEI CSIO 4* Sunday, March 6 at 1:00 PM

© 2011 Randi Muster/Mustphoto, Inc.

$35,000 Hermès Puissance Saturday, March 5 at 8:00 PM

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VENEZUELA * MEXICO * IRELAND * GREAT BRITAIN * USA * CANADA * COLUMBIA * ARGENTINA

Page 26

For tickets, information, and a complete schedule:

WWW.EQUESTRIANSPORT.COM 561.793.5867 Palm Beach International Equestrian Center 3401 Equestrian Club Road • Wellington, Florida

Fun for the whole Family. Come out and support your team!

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Hochstetler’s Journey From Rhapsodies To Riding

Bellalucia Showjumping’s Michael Hochstetler transforms raw, unfocused horses into competitive athletes at the highest levels. He spends his time training horses for clients, w orking with what he terms “retreads” — exceptionally difficult horses.

Ellen Rosenberg’s Column, Page 29

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P.B. Central Softball Squad Dominates Atlantic 12-2

The Palm Beach Central High School varsity softball team defeated visiting Atlantic on Monday, Feb. 28, winning 12-2 after the tenrun rule was invoked. By the bottom of the fifth inning, after allowing the Eagles only their second run of the game, the Lady Broncos pulled ahead behind a flurry of hits. Page 43

Shopping Spree A TOWN-CRIER PUBLICATION

INSIDE

Business The New Tokyo Peking II Restaurant Offers Quality, Affordable Asian Cuisine

Experienced local restaurant owner Ken Wang recently opened Toky o Peking II in the Wellington area, offering a menu with healthful, high-quality food at af fordable prices. Tokyo Peking II is a hibachi and Japanese-style steakhouse. The restaurant is set up as a buffet that offers an array of options to choose from, including sushi, Chinese food, sashimi and more. Page 37

Sports Royal Palm Beach Softball Girls Look To Build Team Unity

The Royal Palm Beach High School girls varsity softball team hopes that a deep bench and good chemistry will make the Lady Wildcats a competitive team this year.

Var sity head coach Diane Gibbs said her goal for the team is to see the girls come together as a unit this season. Page 43

THIS WEEK’S INDEX COLUMNS & FEATURES ...................... 29-30 DINING & ENTERTAINMENT ..................... 32 BUSINESS NEWS .................................37-39 SPORTS & RECREATION ..................... 43-46 COMMUNITY CALENDAR .................... 48-49 CLASSIFIEDS ....................................... 50-55

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FEATURES

Michael Hochstetler’s Journey From Rhapsodies To Riding Although he grew up on a farm in Indiana, Michael Hochstetler’s career lay elsewhere.

“I always loved being around animals,” he recalled. “We had horses, cows, sheep. I loved riding, but I also loved playing the piano. It was a toss-up which way I’d go. Then this lady at church took me aside and told me, ‘Anyone can ride a horse, but not everyone can play like you do.’ That decided it, and music became my career.”

Hochstetler earned a degree in piano performance and moved to Los Angeles, working as a concert pianist, music director and composer. He released several independent albums. But the horses were always there, as a hobby. And then, fate intervened.

“A horse I’d grown up with, had for 18 years, was suddenly killed,” Hochstetler said.

“Ben was a Bay Thoroughbred jumper, the perfect horse. He was turned out in the pasture, and he opened the gate and let himself out. Then he went out the front gate of the farm and got hit by a car.”

Of course, Hochstetler was devastated. But that was not the end of the story. “Three days later, I was walking through the barn, and a horse kicked out,” he said. “He caught my right hand and broke about every bone. Suddenly, I had to sit back and reexamine my life. That’s when I decided it was time to make horses the major focus of my life.”

Hochstetler spent the next few years training horses for clients, working with what he terms “retreads” — exceptionally difficult horses.

Tales From The Trails

By Ellen Rosenberg “I’d work with them and reclaim them, then send them back out into society,” he said. “I can look around here in Wellington, at the biggest horse show in the world, and see 20 horses that I’ve trained and are now going nicely and winning. That’s a good feeling.”

Between the freelance training and the move to Wellington in 2010, Hochstetler lived in northern Germany, what he terms the “Mecca of show jumping.” And, naturally, he found himself working with yet another exceptionally difficult horse.

“In Europe, they seem to manufacture so many amazing Olympic-quality horses,” Hochstetler said. “It’s almost like an assembly line. They have a program, and it mostly works. But if a horse doesn’t fit into that program, he gets shunted aside. That’s what happened to Lancaster.”

Lancaster was a five-year-old horse who had not yet been ridden. “They tried everything, including gelding him, but he was way beyond that,” Hochstetler said. “When I started working with him, I saw a horse who had been terribly misunderstood. Lancaster need-

There were ups and downs. But the very first show I took him to, his first show ever, he took first place.”

After years together, the pair grew close.

“When it was time for me to leave Germany, I couldn’t stand the thought of leaving Lancaster, but there was no way I could afford him,” Hochstetler said. “His owner, a gruff old man, took me aside. ‘So you like this horse?’ he asked me. He knew I adored the horse. And then, unbelievably, he gave him to me. I brought Lancaster back with me to the U.S. in 2009, and we were doing great in a lot of big shows. This past January, [Olympic show jumper] McLain Ward made me an offer for him I couldn’t refuse.”

Michael Hochstetler rides Lancaster.

One gets the feeling that selling Lancaster ed someone who was there just for him, ev- was bittersweet for Hochstetler. He loved the ery minute of every day. He needed a rou- horse, but real life intrudes; he was just about tine, something he could count on. I spent five out of money. Hochstetler describes selling years working with him and training him.

See ROSENBERG, page 30

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FEATURES

My Week: A Loud Clerk, A Sick Clerk & A Departing Dealer I am writing this column directly from my antique shop, where, I must say, things are going swimmingly — for a disaster.

Yup, if you want to view a retail disaster of any ilk, come on up. I’ve got ilks of every size and description.

It started Dec. 26 when my manager decided that in 2011, she’d rather work alongside her husband in his pest control job than for me. What? Who would rather do anything than work for me in my cozy little shop with the candy counter right next to the cash register? I couldn’t understand it but, this being America, off she went.

I ran an ad in the local paper seeking her replacement. “Clerk wanted. Must be able to move furniture,” the ad stated. Nonetheless, potential clerks seemed to overlook the furniture part, and experienced furniture movers seemed to overlook the clerk part. The job really did require a multitalented person like that, but the pickings were slim.

Eventually, I did find someone, and she is working out well except for one thing: She’s loud.

Deborah Welky is

The Sonic BOOMER I don’t know too many antiques shops where every word the cashier speaks has to bounce off the back wall before coming to rest on the ears of everybody in there. Never mind that you can’t hear my Benny Goodman CD; some of the words are leaving dents in the wall. So we had a little discussion about that.

“You know, Paula,” I said. “A lot of people just come in here to relax and de-stress and look around. I like to give them a peaceful environment to do that in. So maybe we can keep our voices down a little bit.”

“OK!” Paula replied. “I’LL REMEMBER THAT!”

Sigh. At least I still had Doris.

Oops. Spoke too soon.

On Jan. 15, Doris developed a problem with her sciatic nerve and hasn’t been back. She’s in such pain she doesn’t even call. Do I put her on the schedule or not? Do I hire a replacement or not? I quietly explained the situation to Paula, who immediately responded, “POOR DORIS!” — which caused three customers to run up to the counter and ask, “What happened to Doris? Is she all right?

Oh, no. Oh no.”

I had just finished calming everybody down when the phone rang. The very first dealer to ever rent space from me, the one who’s been with me for eight years, the one I can count on to carry top-notch Native American artifacts that attract customers from near and far, was moving to Missouri. She would clean out her booth on Tuesday.

Sigh.

I returned to Wellington, but then I worried that on Wednesday, I’d have a big empty space in the store. I needed to tell Paula what to do. So I called.

“Paula,” I said over the phone. “When Fran leaves, please fill in the empty booth with some chairs and things until I can get there.”

“YOU GOT IT! I’M SORRY TO HEAR SHE’S GOING!” Paula shouted, and I heard someone in the background ask, “Who’s going?” then “Oh, no! Not Fran!”

As quickly as I could, I rushed up to the store to calm everybody down again, have another chat with Paula about using our “inside voices” and have a look at Fran’s cavernous space, which now contained two lonelylooking chairs, one teacup and a rusty birdcage.

I suggested to Paula that perhaps she might have swept the floor before tossing those things in there.

“OH, I DIDN’T KNOW WE HAD A BROOM!” was her reply.

Sigh.

So this week I will remain at the store — dusting, sweeping, rearranging furniture and working feverishly behind the scenes to create an oasis of calm. Maybe I’ll even sell something. That would be a nice bonus.

‘Hall Pass’ A Convoluted Movie Offering A Sweet Message Hall Pass will never be considered a classic romantic comedy, despite the fact that in its own weird, backward way it glorifies love and marriage. That may well be because most of the film focuses on what could be wrong in marriage before letting out the little secret that, like democracy, it’s generally better than the alternatives.

When I saw the first ads for Hall Pass, I was optimistic that it would be a funny, good movie. After all, it came from the Farrelly brothers, makers of a few really funny movies such as There’s Something About Mary.

There have been far too few really funny movies from Hollywood in recent years.

Then I saw early reviews, and my hopes fell. Then we actually went to the movie, and, well, there are some really funny moments, but the message is so muddled that there was no way the film could both be hilarious and follow the sweet “marriage is marvelous” track that it finds itself on.

The film centers on two married couples: Rick (Owen Wilson) and Maggie (Jenna Fischer), and Fred (Jason Sudeikis) and Grace (Christina Applegate), who actually have good marriages. The real problem is that the husbands love to look at other,

Rosenberg

Michael Hochstetler

continued from page 29 Lancaster as the end of a dream. For five years, every minute of his life was consumed with that horse.

Now, he’s hoping to find an investor to help him get that next big horse, the one that can carry him to the Pan Am Games or perhaps the Olympics. And, in the meantime, he’s back to freelancing.

“I don’t just ride big show jumpers,” Hoch-

younger women, and the wives are frustrated by it. Eventually, listening to the advice of a friendly shrink, Dr. Lucy (Joy Behar), they give their husbands a “hall pass.” The men can do whatever they want for a week, including chasing women. Of course, anyone who takes any advice from Behar is heading for major trouble.

The men, friendly goof-offs, have no idea on how to chase women and, frankly, are far more interested in talking about it, particularly with their friends. Their closest moments come in male bonding as they boast of their prowess, which clearly is nonexistent, and speak coarsely of women whom they actually adore. The closer they get to actually cheating, the quicker they seem to back away. And since this is a Farrelly movie, the interactions

focus more on the gross than on the tender.

Eventually, it is the women, off on vacation with the kids, who find more reason to roam.

Maggie realizes at one point that while she gave Rick the hall pass, she was the one actually using it.

The Farrellys pretty much endorse the idea of marriage through all of this, meaning that there is a healthy amount of unreality. The men’s total cluelessness on how to chase women was cute but unrealistic. And how many women would actually tell their husbands that it was all right to cheat, even if only for a week? What would happen if there was an affair? Would the husband stop? My wife would be far more likely to channel Lorena Bobbitt than to tell me to enjoy myself with another woman.

So when Rick finally does get the opportunity to actually have sex with an incredibly gorgeous Australian woman (Nicky Whelan), he turns her down while she stands naked in front of him. His speech about how much he loves his wife and kids was not funny at all, just sweet.

Of course, to balance that sweet feeling, there is plenty of gross humor. Some of the language is incredibly coarse; there are sev-

eral scenes that focus heavily on body parts and some full-frontal male nudity. In There’s Something About Mary, there was a memorable scene involving a particular body fluid and Cameron Diaz’s hair. This film manages to have one scene that makes that one seem like a kiddie film. If you are easily offended, be warned.

The language in the film is about as coarse as one could imagine, particularly in a scene in which the two men think they’re alone but are actually being watched by some socialclimbing neighbors and their own horrified wives on closed-circuit TV. That is one of the reasons for the hall pass.

The actors do a decent job in non-challenging roles. Applegate brings the most veracity to her part as a long-suffering wife. She would have to be very tolerant to put up with her husband’s idiocies even though he clearly adores her.

The film is a paean to marriage. It seems to say that looking is not so bad, but there’s no place like home. And that’s a pretty good message in general. There are some very funny bits in the movie and, if you’re pretty tolerant, you will enjoy them. But in its desire to affirm true love, the edge is off.

stetler said. “I like riding all horses. I love the adventure of meeting real people, people with backyard horses. I’ll ride anyone’s horse, and help them however I can, to reach their goals, whether it’s showing or trail riding.”

Hochstetler’s priority is the horse rather than the owner. He described one horse that was kept in a dark, dreary barn. The horse loved looking out his window, but his owner refused to leave the window open; the horse hadn’t been winning, so he “didn’t deserve it.” Hochstetler makes sure to open that window every time he visits the barn.

“I truly believe the saying, ‘Show me your

horse, and I’ll tell you who you are.’ To me, the saddest horses are the ones who don’t like their people,” he said. “Horses don’t get to pick their owners. Some people treat their horses like money-making machines. Horses have emotions. They’re beautiful, talented, smart. I really connect with horses. I look at what’s missing, what the horse needs, and I try to provide it. I’m honest. I do a good job.”

“He’s awesome,” said Linda Sabol of West Palm Beach.

Sabol heard about Hochstetler from a friend at church. “I needed someone to ride Sugar, my young Appendix Quarter Horse. I called Michael, and he came out,” she recalled. “Sug-

ar was feeling good. She bucked. She reared.

She crow-hopped. She had fun, but he did, too. He was actually laughing. I wish I could ride like that. The second time he came, Sugar cantered around quietly. The next day, I rode her, and she was so good. She seemed a lot more mature. I’m going to have him out at least one more time. He’s a very nice man, without a big ego. I’ve already recommended him to some of my friends, and he’s helped them with their horses. And he’s very affordable.”

For more information, call Michael Hochstetler at (817) 614-0816, or visit www.bellaluci showjumping.com.

‘I’ On CULTURE

By Leonard Wechsler

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DINING & ENTERTAINMENT

‘Dinner With Friends’ Onstage At Palm Beach Dramaworks

Erin Joy Schmidt, Jim Ballard and Sarah Grace Wilson in a scene from Dinner With Friends at Dramworks.

PHOTO BY ALICIA DONELAN

Palm Beach Dramaworks, West Palm Beach’s only resident professional theater, continues its 11th season with Donald Margulies’ Pulitzer Prize-winning play Dinner With Friends at the company’s intimate downtown theater. The production is running now through April 17.

Dinner With Friends, a candid bittersweet play, examines two married couples, who have been close friends for years, and what happens when one marriage falls apart.

When Beth reveals to her good friends that she and her husband Tom are divorcing due to infidelity, Gabe and Karen feel pressured to pick sides, but soon begin to question the solidity of their apparent happy marriage.

Dramaworks Resident Director J. Barry Lewis will direct the produc-

tion featuring Jim Ballard, Eric Martin Brown, Erin Joy Schmidt and Sarah Grace Wilson. The play will feature scenery designed by Vince Mountain, costumes designed by Brian O’Keefe, lights designed by Joseph P. Oshry and sound designed

by Tom Shorrock.

Margulies is widely recognized for his work. In addition to his Pulitzer Prize for Drama, Margulies is also the recipient of a Lucille Lortel Award, an Outer Critics’ Circle Award and two OBIE awards, among others.

His notable work includes Time Stands Still, Sight Unseen, Collected Stories and God of Vengeance.

Margulies is currently an adjunct professor of English and theater studies at Yale University.

The Palm Beach Dramaworks’

season will conclude with The Beauty Queen of Leenane by Martin McDonagh (May 6 through June 19).

The performance schedule is as follows: evening performances will take place at 8 p.m. Wednesday through Saturday and 7 p.m. Sunday. Matinee performances will take place Saturdays and Sundays at 2 p.m., as well as 3 p.m. on select Wednesdays.

Individual tickets cost $47 for all performances. Group rates for 20 or more and discounted season subscriptions are also available.

For ticket information, call the box office at (561) 514-4042, open Tuesday through Saturday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., or visit the Palm Beach Dramaworks web site at www.palmbeachdramaworks.org.

Giant Ants On Display At The Ann Norton Sculpture Garden Larger-than-life bronze sculptures of ants, warriors and seedpods created by Susan P. Cochran were recently installed at the Ann Norton Sculpture Garden. The sculptures are on display through April 2 as a part of the exhibit “Inside Out: Garden & Gallery.”

Always having an appreciation for insects, Cochran received various books on the subject from her father, which deepened her childhood curiosity and provided a basis for creatively exploring the inhabitants of the undergrowth beneath a magnifying glass.

In 2008, several of Cochran’s ants were on display at the Palm Beach International Airport as a part of Palm Beach County’s Art in Public Places and then traveled by sea on a voyage that took them from Florida to Dubai via two 40-foot containers. Upon their return, the ants were refurbished and then flown to Las Vegas to be a part of the Bellagio Hotel and Casino’s 2010 spring/

summer garden show. The whole colony was most recently on display at Lotusland in Montecito, Calif. with their next stop being the Caribbean.

In addition to the ants on display at the Ann Norton Sculpture Garden, warriors, seedpods and sculpted clothing that mimic furniture were recently installed for the exhibition.

Actual specimens inspired Cochran’s seedpods, including many that can be found in her backyard in Palm Beach where Cochran has been a life long resident. Cochran’s bronzes are noted for making us look at things we may have walked right by and take note of what we normally overlook.

“I created the seeds and nuts with an Ann Norton Sculpture Garden show in mind,” Cochran said. “I created the stick fighters because I wanted to learn how to create a sense of movement with bronze figures, and our sports just didn’t have

the primitive elegance I wanted to portray.”

“We are delighted to sponsor Susie Cochran’s exhibition at the Ann Norton Sculpture Gardens,” said Jonathan Cameron-Hayes, president of the Gentleman of the Gardens and the presenting sponsor of the exhibit. “Not only is this an opportunity for the community to see her tremendous talent, but it is also a way for us to thank her for her support of the garden, the Gentlemen of the Garden and many other local charitable events.”

Cochran has received international attention for her large-scale sculpture installations from prestigious art fairs such as the ArtForm International Fine Art Exposition, the Miami International Art Fair and the Palm Beach International Sculpture Biennale, as well as expositions in Chicago, New York and Santa Fe. Her work is also represented in numerous public and private collections, including those in the New

Some of Susan P. Cochran’s giant ant sculptures.

PHOTO COURTESY LINDA LANE PR & MARKETING

York Fire Department Museum (New York), the Perry Ellis International Building (Miami), Jackson Hole (Wyoming), Maui (Hawaii), Bondville (Vermont) and Tallahassee (Florida).

The Ann Norton Sculpture Gardens Inc. is a nonprofit foundation established in 1977 by prominent sculptor Ann Weaver Norton. The gardens are located at 253 Barcelo-

na Road, at the corner of Flagler Drive in West Palm Beach. The rare palm and sculpture gardens, exhibition galleries and artist studio are currently open Wednesday through Sunday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Admission is free for members and $5 for visitors. For more information, call the Ann Norton Sculpture Garden at (561) 832-5328 or visit www.ansg.org.

The Phantoms Recommend ‘The Music Of Sammy Davis Jr.’ Bob Lappin and the Palm Beach Pops wel- es’ multifaceted performance numerous times, in Vegas for seven years where he was also come superstar Vegas entertainer Clint Holm- Lappin worked diligently to bring Holmes to voted Singer of the Year twice. With his powes to their stage once again to celebrate “The perform with the Palm Beach Pops in Febru- erful voice and magnetic stage presence, Music of Sammy Davis Jr.” for a six-night ary 2010. That performance received rave re- Holmes was crowned Atlantic City Entertainengagement in South Florida March 9-15. views by the audience as well as music crit- er of the Year three times.

When Holmes is on stage, anything can ics. David A. Frye of the Palm Beach Daily The performance schedule is as follows: happen, and usually does. This concert will News named Holmes’ performance with the March 9, 11 and 12 at 8 p.m. at the Carole feature songs made famous by one of the Palm Beach Pops as his favorite concert of and Barry Kaye Performing Arts Auditorium greatest entertainers of all times, Sammy the season. at Florida Atlantic University in Boca Raton; Davis Jr., including “The Candyman,” “Mr. Lappin praises Holmes as “one of the big- March 13 at 8 p.m. at the Palm Beach State Bojangles,” “What Kind of Fool Am I,” “For gest talents I’ve ever seen!” Holmes is famous College Eissey Campus Theatre in Palm Once in My Life” and “I Gotta Be Me.” for making every performance an original, Beach Gardens; and March 14 and 5 at 8 p.m.

Each night Holmes redefines the role of and captivating audiences with his signature at the Kravis Center for the Performing Arts’ entertainer as he weaves the audience through style. He is best known for his silky vocal Dreyfoos Hall in West Palm Beach. a musical journey of many musical styles in- stylings, and has honed his many other talTickets cost $29 to $89. To purchase tickcluding jazz, Broadway and treasures from ents, which include dancing and a warm co- ets, or for more info., call (561) 832-7677 or the American Songbook. After seeing Holm- medic touch. Holmes headlined at Harrah’s visit www.palmbeachpops.org/holmes.

Clint Holmes Joe & Kathryn, the Phantoms, are featured writers for the Town-Crier and www.yournews.com... Comments and recommendations are welcome at thephantomdiners@aol.com.

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Academy for Child Enrichment — In the heart of Royal Palm Beach, the Academy for Child Enrichment offers free all-day VPK. Infants through after-school day and night care, 6:30 a.m. to midnight (Monday through Friday), meals included. Qualified staff. Se habla Espanol. Special rates for all registration. The Academy for Child Enrichment is located at 700 Camellia Drive in Royal Palm Beach. Call (561) 798-3452 or visit www.smallworldpbc.com for more info.

Calling All Kids Indoor Playground — Calling All Kids summer camp fun includes rock climbing, water slides, gymnastics, video arcade, movie theater, kid-size village, arts & crafts, science & cooking, Wii stations and more for children six months to 10 years. The best place in town to have your kid’s private birthday party! For more info., visit www.CallingAllKidsFunCenter.com or call (561) 8687007 or (561) 802-9090. Calling All Kids is located at 854 Conniston Rd., West Palm Beach.

Casperey Stables Horse Camp — Casperey Stables is a small, fun-filled day camp for children ages seven to 14. With four riding opportunities each day, arts & crafts and outdoor games, campers find little time to be bored. The low counselor-child ratio ensures your child will receive individual attention. There are camp sessions for spring and winter school breaks, and during the summer, each twoweek session has a theme, such as Indian Days, Circus Days and Medieval Days.

Casperey Stables has a weekly swim party and ends each session with a horse show and family BBQ. Call soon — this small, quality program fills quickly! To learn more about the camp, located at 2330 D Road in Loxahatchee Groves, call (561) 792-4990 or visit www.caspereystables.com.

Get Creative! Armory Art Center Summer Art Camp — The Armory Art Center is excited to bring a series of theme-based sessions to your elementary school through high school aged children for this year’s summer camp. Experienced instructors have developed projects relating to the themes of each week. Activities are age appropriate and focus on your child’s artistic and creative development. Students age 5-7 years old will rotate among several studio areas daily in ceramic sculpture, drawing, painting and other creative mediums. Teens work with guest artists during intensive studio workshops in a variety of areas in the visual arts. All art materials are included in the cost of tuition. The Armory Art Center is located at 1700 Parker Ave., West Palm Beach. For more info., visit www.armoryart.org or call (561) 832-1776.

March 4 - March 10, 2011

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Home Away From Home Summer Camp — If your kids want a great summer camp experience, come to any of Home Away From Home’s four Palm Beach locations. Now enrolling summer camp programs for children ages 4-10 (limited space is available). The program offers daily indoor and outdoor field trips. Free meals and webcam services are included. Rated the “Best Summer Camp Ever!”

For more information, visit www.HomeAwayFromHomeChildcare.com or call Wellington (561) 791-8558, Palm Beach Gardens (561) 627-6170, Jupiter (561) 747-6916 or West Palm Beach (561) 802-9090.

Jewish Summer Camp — Enjoy a Jewish summer camp on a farm for girls ages 711 at the Good Earth Farm. Featuring a six-week certificate of horse care competency. Candy making, soap making, painting, drawing, 3D design, sewing and crafts. Kayak instruction; European spa comes to the camp for beauty day. Jewish music singing, art and a Shabbat program with a local rabbi. Director Nancy Fried Tobin (BFA, MAT, MFA, RM, Equine Certified Specialist/Instructor) has been working with kids for years. Registering now; call (561) 792-2666. Located at 2141 B Road in Loxahatchee Groves, the farm is 25 minutes from anywhere in the Palm Beach area.

The King’s Academy “Camping Around the World” — TKA’s summer camp welcomes ages 5 through 8th grade. Experience different cultures through craft projects, science experiments, field trips, music and more. Counselors are qualified teachers, first aid certified and offer a loving environment. Day camp/sports camp with daily lunches run from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m with many options and before/after care. Field trips to Calypso Bay, the South Florida Science Museum, the Palm Beach Zoo, Lion Country Safari and more, all for one inclusive price. Register now at www.tka.net and save $25 when you mention this offer. Call Helga Van Wart (561) 686-4244 for more info.

Noah’s Ark — Noah’s Ark is located on Okeechobee Blvd. in Loxahatchee Groves.

They offer free all-day VPK. Lower rates and special registration for fall. Meals are included. Noah’s Ark offers care for infants and preschool children as well as after-school care. Se habla Espanol. Conveniently located at 14563 Okeechobee Blvd. between Royal Palm Beach and Loxahatchee Groves elementary schools.

Call (561) 753-6624 for more info.

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South Florida Science Museum — Join the South Florida Science Museum for Summer Camp 2011! Each exciting week will offer hands-on exploration for young scientists ages 4 to 12 on specific topics in science. The days are packed with fun science lessons, laboratories, crafts and outside activities led by expert science educators. Camp starts at 9 a.m. and ends at 4 p.m. with extended hours of structured activities available from 7:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Camps are grouped into ages 4-6, 7-9 and 10-12. Before and aftercare available. Early registration accepted prior to May 1. Register online at www.sfsm.org or by calling (561) 8322026.

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BUSINESS NEWS

Toky o Peking II is located in the Marketplace at Wycliffe.

The New Tokyo Peking II Restaurant Offers Quality, Affordable Asian Cuisine

By Damon Webb Town-Crier Staff Report Experienced local restaurant owner Ken Wang recently opened Tokyo Peking II in the Wellington area, offering a menu with healthful, high-quality food at affordable prices.

Tokyo Peking II is a hibachi and Japanesestyle steakhouse. The restaurant is set up as a buffet that offers an array of options to choose from, including sushi, Chinese food, sashimi and more.

“When I decided to open this restaurant, I wanted to offer something different to the area,” Wang said. “There are many restaurants within the western communities that are similar in style and food offerings. I aimed to provide a larger selection of food and a quality level that is above your standard Chinese/ Asian-inspired restaurant.”

Wang has been in the restaurant industry for over 15 years. He moved to Palm Beach County in 2001 and opened the first Tokyo Peking in 2002 in Lake Worth. That restaurant had a smaller menu of items to choose from and was strictly hibachi. With the menu limited, and prices higher due to the type of food being offered, the restaurant saw a reduction in its customer base due to the struggling economy. Eventually, Wang chose to close that location and work on his new concept.

In late winter of 2010, Wang opened the doors to Tokyo Peking II. His new business model was to make the restaurant an all-youcan-eat buffet that offered a large menu for customers to choose from. He set the prices for his lunch and dinner menus and made them competitive to other restaurants with a similar menu — but he was also able to keep the food’s quality high and offer healthful options.

“I learned from my first restaurant how to

Tokyo Peking II owner Ken Wang.

PHOTOS BY DAMON WEBB/T OWN-CRIER

set my prices for food and how to keep it affordable for customers,” Wang explained. “I found that instead of customers coming in only once a week, they now come in two or three times a week. My new prices make it easier for customers to come back more often, and my business has seen the growth in such a short time.”

Wang sees a bright future for his restaurant. “I am pleased with this area,” he said. “I live out here, and I wanted my business to be out here as well. In the future, I plan to open another location somewhere in the western communities. My new business model seems to be holding up and proving to be a success.

I still have a lot of people who don’t know about Tokyo Peking II. I plan to be around to tell them one by one.”

Tokyo Peking II is located at 4075 State Road 7, Suite F2, in the Marketplace at Wycliffe. For more information about Tokyo Peking II, visit www.tokyopekingcuisine.com or call (561) 357-9699.

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Rochman Named Chief Of Surgery At Palms West Hospital Dr. Robert Rochman, a boardcertified foot and ankle orthopedic surgeon at the Center for Bone &Joint Surgery, has been named the new chief of surgery at Palms West Hospital.

Rochman is a fellowship-trained and board-certified orthopedic surgeon. He has been working in the Royal Palm Beach, Wellington and Boynton Beach communities for several years. Rochman and his wife Amy, along with their three children, have been residents of the western communities for over five years.

“Wellington and Royal Palm are great communities, especially for family,” Rochman said. “It is an honor to be working with a hospital that has such a high regard in the area and to be in the Palms West family as the chief of surgery. I will continue my goal as a physician to offer the highest level of care and provide individualized attention to each of my patients.”

Rochman served as the vice chief of surgery at Palms West Hospital

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Dr. Robert Rochman PHOTO BY BRITTANY HILL

for two years prior to his new title.

He looks forward to the challenge and opportunity to attain the highest standard for the Palms West Hospital surgical department, as well as to continue to work closely with the physicians and administration at Palms West Hospital to achieve this goal.

BUSINESS NEWS

Palm Healthcare Foundation Names John Lacy Chairman

John S. Lacy of Wellington has been elected chairman of the board of the Palm Healthcare Foundation.

Lacy previously served as vice chair of the Palm Healthcare Foundation board and serves on the executive committee and is a member of the finance/investment and strategic planning committees.

Lacy is a senior vice president of investments for Merrill Lynch and is the founding partner of the Lacy Wealth Management Group. Lacy is also a partner in the philanthropic advisory group of Lansing, Lacy, Hutcheon & Associates.

An active member of the community, Lacy’s recent involvement in the healthcare community includes serving as trustee for the Lakeside Medical Center, the Glades Healthcare Foundation and Palms West Hospital.

Lacy has been involved with various youth organizations, serving as vice chairman for the Boys & Girls Club Foundation, board of trustees for the Boys & Girls Clubs and cub-

master for Gulf Stream Council Cub Scout Pack 125.

Professionally, Lacy has served as a board member and president of the Palms West Chamber of Commerce and as a trustee for the Chamber of Commerce of the Palm Beaches.

He received the Valor Award from the American Diabetes Association in 2003, was awarded the Bronze Fundraising Award from the Boys & Girls Clubs of Palm Beach County in 2002 and received the Service to Youth Award in 2001.

Lacy received a bachelor’s degree in economics from the University of Texas at Austin and now resides in Wellington with his wife and three children.

The Palm Healthcare Foundation Inc., chartered in 2001, is Palm Beach County’s leading public healthcare foundation. Believing that “together we can do more,” the foundation’s mission is to inspire and fund solutions to improve health in Palm Beach County.

Since 2001, the foundation has

John Lacy distributed nearly $40 million to over 95 nonprofit organizations in Palm Beach County operating over 130 programs. For additional information, visit www.palmhealthcare. org.

Send business news items to: The Town-Crier, 12794 W. Forest Hill Blvd., Suite 31, Wellington, FL 33414. Fax: (561) 793-6090. E-mail: news@goTownCrier.com.

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BUSINESS NEWS

Wellington Chamber To Honor Two Businesses March 16 The Wellington Chamber of Commerce has announced Phelps Media Group as the recipient of its 2011 Business Excellence Award and the Wellness Experience of Wellington as the recipient of its 2011 Best Emerging Business Award. The two businesses will be honored at a luncheon Wednesday, March 16.

Phelps Media Group, America’s most progressive and successful equestrian public relations firm and a Wellington fixture for nearly a decade, has been awarded the Wellington Chamber of Commerce Business Excellence Award.

Launched in 2002 by Olympian Mason Phelps Jr., Phelps Media Group began service to the equestrian industry with promotion of the National Horse Show, which was moved to Wellington following a 100-year-plus run at Madison Square Garden in the heart of New York City.

The PMG promotion of that event drew such record crowds to the show grounds in Wellington, that some were

quoted as calling it the “Woodstock of horse shows.”

The success of that promotion prompted Phelps to continue the PMG venture for other events.

Since that time, Phelps Media Group has rapidly accumulated a number of impressive clients in the equestrian world from coast-tocoast and internationally.

“PMG and Mason Phelps have been an undeniable force in this community and most certainly in the equestrian world,” Wellington Chamber President Bill Tavernise said. “Phelps Media Group was chosen as they have proved success while exhibiting honest and credible practices valued by the Wellington Chamber of Commerce.”

Phelps is a lifelong horseman. In 1968, he was part of the U.S. team that competed in the Mexico City Olympic Games. He founded and managed the first International Jumping Derby in Newport, Rhode Island, and the following year, founded and

Mason Phelps (right) with Phelps Media Group staff, recipients of the 2011 Business Excellence Award. created the New England Horsemen’s Association Hunt Seat Medal. Currently, Phelps is president and CEO of the National Horse Show of America Ltd. In addition, Phelps has been instrumental in numerous charity and fundraising events in the equestrian world.

For more information, visit www.phelpsmediagroup.com or www.phelpssports.com.

Wellness Experience of Wellington owner Dr. Randy Laurich has been actively

practicing chiropractic for over 10 years, after graduating from Sherman College in Spartanburg, S.C. He opened his first practice in Boca Raton in 2001 and opened his second practice in Wellington in 2006.

Laurich has since sold the practice in Boca Raton and calls Wellington home to his business and household. Laurich and his wife Lorraine have two young children.

Laurich is an active member of the Florida Chiropractic Society, Wellington

Wellness Experience owner Dr. Randy Laurich and his staff, recipients of the Best Emerging Business Award.

Chamber of Commerce, and the Wellington Business & Community Alliance. He is co-chair of the chamber’s Health, Wellness & Medical Committee. He also helped organize the inaugural Wellington Winter Festival.

Laurich has a unique office using state-of-the-art technology and integrating the original principles of chiropractic.

For more information, visit www.wellness-experience. com or call Laurich’s office at (561) 333-5351.

The luncheon will be held Wednesday, March 16 at the Wanderers Club at Wellington. Registration begins at 11:30 a.m. Individual tickets cost $20 for chamber members with an RSVP, $25 for members without an RSVP and $30 for non-members; space cannot be guaranteed the day of the event for walkins. VIP tables are available for $250.

For additional information, call the Wellington Chamber of Commerce at (561) 7926525.

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SPORTS & RECREATION

Palm Beach Central Softball Squad Dominates Atlantic 12-2

By Bryan Gayoso Town-Crier Staff Report The Palm Beach Central High School varsity softball team easily defeated the Atlantic Eagles on Monday, Feb. 28, winning 12-2 after the ten-run rule was invoked at

a game held on the Broncos’ home field.

Behind the strong pitching of Amanda Blanchard, Palm Beach Central was ahead 9-1 by the fourth inning. By the bottom of the fifth inning, after allowing the Eagles

only their second run of the game, the Lady Broncos pulled ahead 122 behind a flurry of hits.

The Palm Beach Central varsity softball team next takes on Palm Beach Gardens Tuesday, March 8 at home.

Palm Beach Central pitcher Amanda Blanchard.

Palm Beach Central player Madison Hir makes it to second.

Bronco outfielder Alexandra VanWagner throws the cut off.

Palm Beach Central’s Sara Vazquez heads for home.

PHOTOS BY BRYAN GAYOSO/TOWN-CRIER

Royal Palm Beach Softball Team Looks To Build Team Unity

By Lauren Miró Town-Crier Staff Report The Royal Palm Beach High School girls varsity softball team hopes that a deep bench and good chemistry will make the Lady Wildcats a competitive team this year.

Head coach Diane Gibbs said her goal is to come together as a team this season.

“I want them to come together as a unit, as a team,” she said. “This year we’re taking girls from different travel teams and trying to unite them as one.”

Gibbs noted that this will still be a rebuilding year.

“It’s my second year with the girls,” she said. “I still have to learn their personalities, and where the girls are phenomenal. I’m still working on finding some utility players who can play anywhere.”

One such player is returning starter Kelly Roberson. “You can ask her to go anywhere, and she’ll go,” Gibbs said. “She’s a great player.”

Also returning to the team is Brianna Alex, Erica Lloyd, sisters Lauren and Jamie Nickerson, Tarin Knott and Jenna Bellach.

New talent on the starting lineup includes senior pitcher Alyssa Hernandez, freshman first baseman Bethany Alex, second baseman Arianna Hernandez and centerfielder Jovanna Cobb.

Gibbs said she has a deep bench this year with 17 girls on the team.

“It’s going to be an advantage for

us to be able to pull people to different positions,” she said. “If something happens, we can change it up a little bit and be able to work with everyone.”

Already, the team has seen success. Last weekend the girls took third in Park Vista High School’s softball tournament against some of the district’s top talent.

“We came out Saturday morning and beat Lake Worth, and then turned around and beat Boca Raton, who we’d lost to earlier in the week,” Gibbs said. “They came into that last game and, even being tired, had four consecutive hits… we were aggressive at bat and getting on bases.”

Gibbs said that hitting is a strength for the team. “When we’re on, we’re on,” she said. “At the tournament, we really started ripping the ball. We’ve been doing more front toss in the cages and on the field, and it’s making the girls see the ball more.”

Gibbs said she hopes that by being a more aggressive coach, she’ll teach the girls to be more aggressive in play, noting that the girls show great spirit, which will help them be successful.

“These girls have a lot of heart,” she said. “They all work hard.”

The Lady Wildcats travel to Glades Central High School on Friday, March 4 for a 5 p.m. game.

Jovanna Cobb throws the ball home.

Brianna Alex prepares to make the catch.

Kelly Roberson takes her swing.

PHOTOS BY LAUREN MIRÓ/T OWN-CRIER

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SPORTS & RECREATION

OUTSTANDING GAME FOR WHS PITCHER

Seminole Ridge winter guard members with Helton and Watkins.

SRHS Winter Guard Competes In Orlando After many months of dedication and practice, the Seminole Ridge High School varsity winter guard competed at the Winter Guard International Regional Competition held Saturday, Feb. 26 at Cypress Creek High School in Orlando.

The event attracts the top varsity and junior varsity squads from high schools throughout the region. They scored close to top scores, topping their own “personal bests” achieved just a few weeks ago. Winter Guard is part of the Seminole Ridge band program, directed by Tim Skinner.

Guard instructors Bradley Watkins and Daniel Helton, with the assistance of Christina Karimi, are constantly tweaking the group’s program as they strive to achieve higher scores.

The girls will perform March 5 at Stoneman Douglas High School, followed by a season finale at the WGI Southeast Color Guard Championship March 25-27 in Orlando.

If you have an organization that would like to help sponsor the group, contact Skinner at skinner@ palmbeach.k12.fl.us.

Eric Hildebrandt, a left-handed pitcher for the Wellington High School varsity baseball team, allo wed no hits against Palm Beach Lakes High School at a game on Tuesday, Feb. 22, becoming the second pitcher in WHS history to strike out nine consecutive batters. Hildebrandt dominated the Palm Beach Lakes batters for the first three innings, and struck out four batters in the second inning alone.

Hildebrandt rarely got behind the Palm Beach Lakes hitters, continuously pumping first-pitch strikes. He mixed his fastball, change and curve to keep the hitters constantly off balance.

Temple Beth Torah Golf Tournament The Temple Beth Torah Brotherhood’s annual golf tournament will take place Sunday, May 1 at Palm Beach Polo Golf & Country Club in Wellington.

The public is invited to play and make donations. Proceeds from the event help fund programs for the congregation, educational scholarships and annual donations to the local community.

For more information about the tournament, call Gregg Lowenstein (561) 307-4243.

Palm Beach Polo is located at 11199 Polo Club Road. For more information, call (561) 798-7000.

Wellington Offers Senior Wii Bowling Wellington seniors can burn calories and have fun at the same time with Wellington-sponsored Wii Bowling, to be held in March and April.

The Nintendo Wii is a handheld wireless video game controller. In addition to providing light to moderate exercise, Wii has been shown to improve eye-hand coor-

dination for seniors.

Wellington will host Wii Bowling at no cost to participants on the second and fourth Thursdays in March and April on the following dates: March 10, March 24, April 14 and April 28 from 11 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. at the Wellington Community Center (12150 W. Forest Hill Blvd.).

Wii Bowling is open to all adults ages 55 years and older.

Participants must pre-register at least two weeks in advance.

Anyone new to Wellington’s senior programming must register in person at the Wellington Community Center. All others may preregister in person or online at http://rec.wellingtonfl.gov.

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SPORTS & RECREATION

King’s Academy Cheerleaders Place Second In UCA Nationals

The King’s Academy cheerleading squad.

The King’s Academy cheerleading team traveled to Orlando on Feb. 13 for the United Cheerleaders Association’s National High School Cheerleading Championship.

The King’s Academy cheerleaders were placed against 19 of the best nontumbling squads from around the nation.

The Lion cheerleaders led after the semifinal round but ultimately took home the second-place national runner-up trophy.

The prior week, the Lion cheerleaders successfully defended their 2010 Florida High School Athletics Association State Championship by winning the 2011 state title. “What a prestigious award to receive,” coach Jenn Allen said. “We went into nationals with the mindset that we were competing against ourselves. We had never competed against these outof-state teams, and we wanted to perform our best routine flawlessly and be recog-

nized for our hard work. Placing second in the nation to Montour High School [Pennsylvania] was a wonderful accomplishment.”

The King’s Academy is a nationally recognized private Christian school serving approximately 1,200 students from preschool through 12th grade and is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools, the Association of Christian Schools International, and the Florida Association of Christian

Colleges and Schools.

The King’s Academy serves students and their families across Palm Beach and Hendry counties at its main campus at Belvedere Road and Sansbury’s Way in West Palm Beach, its Clewiston campus on Caribbean Avenue, and its satellite preschool campuses in Greenacres, Palm Beach Gardens and Royal Palm Beach. More information about the King’s Academy is available online at www.tka.net.

Wolverine Wrestlers End High School Careers On A High Note Two of Wellington High School’s finest wrestlers ever finished their careers at the recent FHSAA State Wrestling Tournament.

WHS senior Brandon Lustgarten (215 pounds) placed fifth at the state tournament. Lustgarten finished his season with a 42-5 record (105-25 career) and as the career pin leader at Wellington High School. In addition to his pin record, Lustgarten fin-

ished with the most team points ever and the fourth most wins at WHS. Senior Jake Ferrara (140 pounds) also competed at the state tournament but was unable to place in the top six.

Ferrara’s two losses were to the third- and fourth-place finishers in his weight class, as he ended up with an unlucky draw in his bracket.

Ferrara had defeated both the fifth- and sixth-place finish-

ers in his bracket this season.

He finished the season with a 31-6 record (99-33 career) and as the career takedown leader at Wellington High School. In addition, Ferrara finished in the career top five at WHS in wins, pins and team points.

Both Lustgarten and Ferrara are now planning to compete at the National High School Coaches Association National Tournament, which

will take place March 31 through April 3 in Virginia Beach, Va. For more information about the tournament, visit the NHSCA’s web site at www.nhsca.com.

Top State Grapplers — (Right) Wellington High School’s Brandon Lustgarten takes fifth place on the FHSAA State W restling Tournament podium.

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HEALTH & FITNESS SPOTLIGHT

March Is The Right Time To Reassess Your Fitness Goals

By Karen Cronau Special to the Town-Crier The Ides of March are upon us, but fortunately we do not meet this date with Caesar’s ominous foreboding. The only warning this day holds is that we have but a month to finalize our tax returns in order to meet the IRS deadline.

For businesses, it is a reminder that 16 days remain in 2011 for firstquarter calendar-year earnings. But on a personal level, March 15 can be viewed as a good day on which we assess our individual goals set for 2011.

The resolutions made for 2011 are in need of a first-quarter review. If one of those goals is improved health and wellness, what steps have we taken in these past three months to move toward our success?

Well, let’s pull out our log books.

What? No log books? Oh my…

Well, not to worry — it is still early enough in the year to begin record

keeping. Those books will contain valuable information on our daily exercise and nutritional choices, which will help us in our future assessment process.

If we do have our log books, let’s see if there are holes in our record keeping. Did we keep daily notes, and if not, we must ask ourselves why. Looking at our nutrition log, have days gone by in which we have made no entries? Again, we must ask ourselves why.

Ten weeks have gone by, and if our goal is a lower body-fat percentage, then with proper exercise and nutrition, we should see improvement today. But if we see we are falling short of our objective, now is the time to change our program.

If we have our log books and are not improving, perhaps it is in our exercise routine; we may need to add another day of activity. Or maybe it is our nutritional selections; we may need to adjust our food choic-

es. Or possibly there could be an underlying metabolic condition, in which case we will make an appointment with our primary-care physician.

With so many variables contributing to successful fitness programming, the information contained in log books acts as a guide in making decisions on how to proceed.

If we have not been keeping records and we are not making progress, then our first step will be to get log books and begin documenting. In the absence of records, we still have our goal in mind, yet it is difficult to know what to do next when we lack precise and accurate knowledge of what we have done.

If, however, we have made no progress because we have done nothing thus far, then it is time to get serious! Although three months have passed, we still have nine more months to succeed in our goal for

improved health and wellness in 2011 — it’s not too late!

All this record keeping makes us accountable for our choices and actions. When we put ourselves in a position of personal accountability for our progress, we empower ourselves in achieving our objectives.

We must rely on ourselves, but acknowledge the need for others; their support and encouragement.

Whatever the reasons for not being on target in meeting your objective of better health and wellness, you may want to consider joining a gym. If considering a gym membership, please stop by Ultima Fitness/ Xtreme Tae Kwon Do and pick up your free week guest pass, or visit www.ultimafitness.com.

Remember, it’s not too late to get in shape for 2011 — enroll now for $20.11!

Karen Cronau is a certified personal trainer at Ultima Fitness/ Xtreme Tae Kwon Do. Ultima is lo-

Karen Cronau cated at 12799 W. Forest Hill Blvd. in Wellington. For more information, call (561) 795-2823 or visit www.ultimafitness.com.

Health & Fitness Spotlight Sponsored By Ultima Fitness Of Wellington

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COMMUNITY CALENDAR

Saturday, March 5 • The Portuguese American Cultural Society will host its annual Portuguese Cultural Festival on Saturday and Sunday, March 5 and 6 at the club’s facilities at 13265 Okeechobee Road in Loxahatchee Groves. Admission is free, but a $4 donation is requested for parking. For more info., call (561) 584-3069 or (561) 271-5394.

• Mounts Botanical Garden (531 N. Military Trail, West Palm Beach) will offer Painting on Silk Classes on Saturday and Sunday, March 5 and 6 from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

The cost is $250 per person. This class is appropriate for all skill levels. Continental breakfast is included. Both days must be attended. For more info., visit www.kirkellsilk studios.com. Call (561) 233-1757 to register.

• Mounts Botanical Garden (531 N. Military Trail, West Palm Beach) will offer “Designing, Creating & Maintaining Your Home Landscape” on Saturdays, March 5, 12 and 26 from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. The fee is $50 for members and $60 for non-members. Call (561) 233-1757 to register.

• The Acreage Pop Warner Football League will be taking registrations for the upcoming football season on March 5 and 26, and April 2, 9 and 16. Kids from ages 5 to 15 are welcome. Sign-ups will be held from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Cornerstone Fellowship Church at the corner of Orange Blvd. and 140th Avenue North. The cost is $180, with savings of $20 for anyone registering on March 5. For more information, or to download forms, visit www.acreagepop warnerfootball.com.

• New York talent scout Peter Sklar will present a free lecture titled “Beyond the Dream…” for aspiring dancers, singers, actors and their parents on Saturday, March 5 at 1 p.m. at Dance Ar ts Conservator y (12260 Fortune Cir cle, Suite J1, Wellington). There is no charge for admission, but reservations are required. RSVP to (561) 296-1880.

• The $35K Hermes Puissance will take place Saturday, March 5 from 6 to 10 p.m. at the Palm Beach International Equestrian Center (14440 Pierson Road, Wellington). Call (561) 793-5867 or visit www. equestriansport.com for more info.

• The newly launched Wellington Ballet Theatre will hold auditions Saturday, March 5 at 6 p.m. at the Dance Arts Conservatory (12260 Fortune Cir cle, Suite J1, Wellington). For more info., visit www.wellington

ballettheatre.org or call Rocky or Dorie Duvall at (561) 306-0787.

• An International Af fair, a benefit for the Diabetes Research Institute, will take place Saturday, March 5 at 6:30 p.m. at the Wycliffe Golf & Country Club. Tickets are available for $225 per person. For more info., visit www.diabetesresearch.org/ia2011 or call (800) 321-3437.

Monday, March 7 • Instruct or Alan Bergstein will discuss current Jewish issues at Temple Beth Tiv kah (4550 Jog Road, Greenacres) Monday through Thursday, March 7-10 from 10 a.m. to noon with a snack break. The cost is $5 for members, $10 for non-members. Call (561) 967-3600 to reserve a seat.

• The American Legion Auxiliary Unit 367 will meet Monday, March 7 at 11 a.m. at Palms West Presbyterian Church (13689 Okeechobee Blvd., Loxahatchee Groves).

For more info., call Marge Herzog at (561) 791-9875.

• The Royal Palm Beach library (500 Civic Center Way) will host a “Fancy Nancy Cookie Party” on Monday, March 7 at 11 a.m. for ages 4 to 6. Listen to a Fancy Nancy story and use icing to decorate your own fabulous cookie. Call (561) 790-6030 to pre-register.

• The Palms West Chamber of Commerce will host a luncheon Monday, March 7 at 11:30 a.m. at Carrabba’s Italian Grill (11141 Southern Blvd., Royal Palm Beach).

The presentation will be on 2011 real estate trends. For more info., call (561) 7906200 or visit www.palmswest.com.

• The Wellington Garden Club will meet Monday, March 7 at the Wellington Community Center (12150 W. Forest Hill Blvd.).

The luncheon and business meeting will start at 11:30 a.m., with the program following at 1 p.m. The featured speaker will be Shawna Price, who has worked in the horticulture industry for the past 12 years.

The public is invited. A light lunch will be served. RSVP to (561) 793-6013 or (561) 798-9217.

• The Royal Palm Beach library (500 Civic Center Way) will feature a Mardi Gras Celebration on Monday, March 7 at 3:30 p.m. for ages 6 to 9. Listen to music and stories and decorate cupcakes with yellow, green and purple icing. Food will be provided. Call (561) 790-6030 to pre-register.

• The Wellington library (1951 Royal Fern Drive) will feature “Real Life Video Games: See CALENDAR, page 49

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COMMUNITY CALENDAR CALENDAR, continued from page 48 Plants vs. Zombies” for ages 9 to 12 on Monday, March 7 at 4 p.m. Ever wish you could step into the w orld of a video game?

Well, now you can. Play as a plant to defeat the zombies on your lawn or play as a zombie invading the gardens of helpless plants.

Call (561) 790-6070 to pre-register.

• The Wellington library (1951 Royal Fern Drive) will host a meeting of its Teen Advisory Group for ages 12 to 17 on Monday, March 7 at 6:30 p.m. Snacks will be provided. Call (561) 790-6070 to pre-register.

• The Wellington library (1951 Royal Fern Drive) will feature Anime Grab Bag for ages 12 to 17 on Monday, March 7 at 7 p.m.

Pocky will provided. Call (561) 790-6070 to pre-register.

Tuesday, March 8 • Na’amat, Kadimah Chapter in Boynton Beach invites members and guests to its monthly meeting Tuesday, March 8 at 10 a.m. in the Valencia Lakes Excelsior clubhouse on El Clair Ranch Road. Judy Stern will present a program on Jewish humor.

Light snacks will be served. Call Barbara Grau at (561) 752-9110 for more information.

• The Royal Palm Beach library (500 Civic Center Way) will host “Master the Art of Reading: Book Discussion Series” on Tuesday, March 8 at 2 p.m. for adults. Barbara Harnick will lead a discussion of Waiting for Snow in Havana by Carlos Eire. Sign up and check out the book. Call (561) 7906030 for more info.

• Whole Foods Market (2635 State Road 7, Wellington) will hold a “Block Party: Whole Planet Foundation Flavors and Wheel-a-thon” on Tuesday, March 8 from 5:30 to 7 p.m. There is no charge. Each department will have an international dish representing a country that benefits from the Whole Planet Foundation and visitors vote for their favorite dish. Anyone that donates $10 or more to the Whole Planet Foundation will get a chance to spin the prize wheel. Call (561) 904-4000 for more info.

• The Wellington Village Council will meet Tuesday, March 8 at 7 p.m. at the Wellington Municipal Complex. Call (561) 791-4000 for more info.

Wednesday, March 9 • The World Dressage Masters Palm Beach will take place Wednesday through Friday, March 9-11 at the Jim Brandon Equestrian Center (7500 Forest Hill Blvd.).

For more info., visit www.wellingtonclassic dressage .com or call (561) 227-1570. For table reservations or tickets call Maria Feola at (561) 282-5334 or e-mail mfeola@ internationalpoloclub.com.

• The Royal Palm Beach library (500 Civic Center Way) will present a class on West African Art on Wednesday, March 9 at 4:30 p.m. for ages 8 to 12. Enjoy a West African folk tale, learn about Adinkra symbols and make your own clay symbols. Call (561) 790-6030 to pre-register.

• The Wellington library (1951 Royal Fern Drive) will host Socrates Café for adults Wednesday, March 9 at 6:30 p.m. The Society for Philosophical Inquiry initiated the concept for this discussion led by Marji Chapman. Find out the topic when you preregister by calling (561) 790-6070.

• The Wellington library (1951 Royal Fern Drive) will host “Sensational Steampunk Crafts” for ages 12 to 17 on Wednesday, March 9 at 6:30 p.m. Blend old-fashioned and modern media styles to create your own steampunk style with accessories made from gears, wheels and chains combined with ribbons and beads. Call (561) 7906070 to pre-register.

• The Northern Palm Beach Chapter of the American Business Women’s Association will meet Wednesday, March 9 at the PGA Doubletree Hotel in Palm Beach Gardens. Networking will take place from 6 to 6:30 p.m. with the dinner and program beginning at 6:30 p.m. The speaker will be Chapter President Carol O’Neil. The cost is $35 and guests are welcome. RSVP to Sharon Maupin at (561) 624-3816.

Friday, March 11 • The Fete Cheval to benefit the EQUUS Foundation will take place Friday, March 11 from 6 to 10 p.m. at Palm Beach International Equestrian Center (14440 Pierson Road, Wellington). Call Lynn Coakley at (203) 259-1550 or e-mail equus@equus foundation.org for tickets.

• Temple Beth Zion (129 Sparrow Drive, Royal Palm Beach) will host “Thank G-d It’s Shabbat!” a musical Shabbat experience featuring the band Higher Ground on Friday, March 11 at 7 p.m. Casual attire is welcome, dancing shoes are encouraged. For more information about this free program, call Muriel at (561) 798-8888.

Send calendar items to: The Town-Crier, 12794 W. Forest Hill Blvd., Suite 31, Wellington, FL 33414. FAX: (561) 793-6090. Email: news@gotowncrier.com.

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JOHN C. HUNTON AIR CONDITIONING & REFRIGERATION, INC.—Service & new installation FPL independent participating contractor. Lic. CAC 057272 Ins. "We are proud supporters of the Seminole Ridge Hawks" 561-798-3225.

Family Owned & Operated since 1996. Credit Cards Accepted

JJJ AUTOMOTIVE,INC. — we’re looking out for you! John Lawson.

561-204-2855 600 Royal Palm Commerce Rd. Suite E, RPB. Lic. #MV52657

GIVING SENIORS AND C A R E G I V E R S — a healthy option to recharge adult day service for Alzheimers at Path of Life ALF. License #AL11709 561-795-4248

CARING & COMPASSIONAT E CNA — with 20 plus years hospital & private experience; FL licensed & insured; Wellington resident; excellent references. Online at eldercarenotebook. 561-531-4179

HOUSECLEANING — 20 yrs experience. Excellent local references.

Shopping available. 561-572-1782 HOUSE/OFFICE CLEANING — 30 yrs experience in the Western Communities. Honest-Reliable and plenty of references. Call Anytime Debbie. 204-4681 Ins. & Lic.

MOBILE-TEC ON-SITE COMPUTER SER VICE — The computer experts that come to you! Hardware/ Sof tware setup, support &troubleshooting w w w.mobiletec.net.

561-248-2611 D.J. COMPUTER — Home & office, Spyware removal, websites, networks, repairs, upgrades, virus removal, tutoring. Call Jeff 561-3339433 or Cell 561-252-1186 Lic’d Well. & Palm Beach We accept major credit cards.

DRIVEWAYS — Free estimates.

A & M ASPHALT SEAL COATING commercial and residential. Patching potholes, striping, repair existing asphalt & save money all work guaranteed. Lic.& Ins. 100045062 561-667-7716

BACHE DEVELOPMENT INC. — General Contractor Christopher G. Bache 561-662-8353 CGC 1510884. New construction, barns, kitchens, baths, complete remodeling, flooring, painting, residential and commercial visit our website www.bachedevelopment.com

THE MASTER HANDYMAN — All Types of Home Repairs & Improvements. No job too big or small done right the first time every time 40 yrs of satisfied customers. See me on Angies List. Tom (561) 801-2010 or (954) 444-3178 Serving Palm Beach and Broward Counties.

ANMAR CO .—James’ All Around Handyman Service. Excellent craf tman Old time values. Once you’ve had me! You’ll have me back!

Lic. Ins. Certified Residential Contractor CRC 1327426 561-248-8528

HOME INSPECTIONS — Mold inpections, air quality testing, US Building Inspectors mention this ad $20.00 Off. 561-784-8811

HURRICANE SHUTTERS P&M CONTRACTORS — ACCORDION SHUTTERS Gutters, screen enclosures, siding, soffit s, aluminum roofs, Serving the Western Communities. Since 1985. U-17189 561-791-9777

WELLINGTON WINDOWS, LLC — Protect your family from break-ins and hurricanes. Quality, Maintenance-free, Energy-efficient. Impact Windows and Doors Lic& Ins Call 561-670-2637 You’ve seen the REST...now compare the BEST Greenwise Builders, Inc. #CBC051244

BOB CAVANAGH ALLSTATE INSURANCE Auto • Home • Life • Renters • Motorcycle • R V • Golfcart • Boat Serving the Western Communities for 24 years Call for a quote 798-3056, or visit our website. www.allstateagencies.com/ rCavanagh

GREENTEAM LANDSCAPING — We make your grass look greener than the other side Call now 561337-0658. www.greenteamllc.com

MOLD & MILDEW INSPECTIONS Air Quality Testing, leak detection.

US building inspectors, mention this ad for discount. 561-784-8811.

Place your ad here call 793-3576 today For information.

RJA PAINTING & DECORATING, INC. — Interior, Exterior, Faux Finish, Residential,Commercial.Lic. #U17536 Rocky Armento, Jr. 561793-5455 561-662-7102 J&B PRESSURE CLEANING & PAINTING, INC. — Established in 1984. All types of pressure cleaning, roofs, houses, driveways, patios etc. Commercial & Residential.

Interior & Exterior painting. Certified pressure cleaning & painting contractor. Lic. #U21552 Call Butch 309-6975 visit our website at www.jbpressurecleaningandpainting.com

JOHN PERGOLIZZI PAINTING INC. — Interior/Exterior - Repaint specialist, pressure cleaning, popcorn ceiling, drywall repair & roof painting. Family owned/owner operator. Free Est. 798-4964 Lic. #U18473 COLORS BY CORO, INC. — Interior/Exterior, residential painting, over 20 yrs exp. Small Jobs welcome. Free est. Ins. 561-383-8666.

Owner/Operated. Lic.# U20627 Ins. Wellington Resident

JEREMY JAMES PLUMBING — Licensed plumber, legitimate estimate. Water heaters, new construction. CFC1426242. Bonded and Insured. CFC1426242. 561-601-6458

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J&B PRESSURE CLEANING & PAINTING, INC. — Established 1984. All types of pressure cleaning, roofs, houses, driveways, patios etc. Commercial & Residential.

Interior & Exterior p ainting.

Certified pressure cleaning & painting contractor. Lic. #U21552 Call Butch at 309-6975 or visit us at www.jbpressurecleaningandpainting.com

GRAND OPENING PSYCHIC BOUTIQUE. Cryst als & Gifts Available. Call for an appointment. 561355-0036

MINOR ROOF REPAIRS — Roof p a i n t i n g . C a r p e n t r y. L i c . #U13677.967-5580.

HORIZON ROOFING QUALITY WORK & SERVICE — Free estimates, No Deposits. Pay upon completion, res/comm.reroofing, repairs, credit cards accepted.

561- 842-6120 or 561-784-8072 Lic.#CCC1328598 ROBERT G. HARTMANN ROOFING — Specializing in repairs. Free estimates, Bonded,insured. Lic. #CCC 058317 Ph: 561-790-0763.

ROOFING REPAIRS REROOFING ALL TYPES — Pinewood Construction, Inc. Honest and reliable.

Serving Palm Beach County for over 20 years. Call Mike 561-3090134 Lic. Ins. Bonded. CGC023773 RC-0067207 ROBERT CHERRY ROOFING INC Reroofing - Rep air - Waterproofing 561-791-2612 or 954-7414580 State Lic.& Ins. #CCC1326048

SECURITY — American owned local security comp any in business 30 plus years. Protection by officers drug tested. 40 hour course. Licensed & Insured. 561-848-2600

JOHN’S SCREEN REPAIR SERVICE — Pool & patio rescreening.

Stay tight,wrinkle-free,guaranteed!

CRC1329708 call us 798-3132. www.poolscreenrepair.com

ClubZ! In-Home

TUTORING All Subjects: PreK- Adult 561 •333 •1980 CLUBZ.COM America’s Largest In-HomeTutoring Co.

PAPERHANGING BY DEBI — Professional Installation,Removal. Repair of Paper. Neat, Clean & Reliable. Quality work with a woman's touch. 30 years experience. No Job too big or too small. Lic. & Ins. References available. 561-795-5263

WE DO WINDOWS — 20 years professional window cleaning. Residential/Commercial references available. Lic. & Ins. 561-313-7098

APARTMENT FOR RENT — 1 bedroom, 1 bath, kitchen, living room, private entrance, electric & cable included. $700 mo. 561-252-2622

CONDO FOR RENT — ROYAL PALM BEACH, must be 55 or over.

Clean 1 bedroom, 1.5 baths, transportation, pool, movies etc. $600 per month. Call 561-602-9584 2/2 NEW APPLIANCES — good condition “The Trails” good area. pool and amenities. 561-714-8376 561-793-1718 $900 monthly. Cable included.

OFFICE SPACE FOR RENT — in Wellington Commerce Park off Pierson Road. Furnished or Unfurnished 575 Sq. Ft. with beautiful view of water. 2 upscale private offices, reception area, bathroom and storage loft. AvailableImmediately $600 per month (561) 722-7195

TOWNHOME FOR RENT —2/2 2 car garage. Lakefront seasonal or annual lease. No Pets 561-6442019 EFFICIENCY FOR RENT — fully furnished/full kitchen,TV,washer/ dryer. Private entrance. No smoking.No Pets. Single adult $700 per month includes all! 561-6320464 561-790-0857

2000 HONDA ACCORD — 209,000 miles, red w/cream leather interior good running condition, good A/C $3,400 OBO 561-7137794

PLACE YOUR PROFESSIONAL SERVICE AD HERE CALL 7933576 FOR INORMATION

ACCORDION SHUTTERS — Gutters, screen enclosures, siding, sof fits, aluminum roofs, Serving the Western Communities. Since 1985.

U-17189 561-791-9777

AQUATIC SPRINKLER, LLC — Complete repair of all types of systems. Owner Operated. Michael 561-964-6004Lic.#U17871 Bonded & Ins. Serving the Western Communities Since 1990

SPECIALIZING IN BATHROOM REMODELING — Free estimates serving South Florida since 1980.

Quality you expect, service you deserve. License, bonded and insured. U21006 561-662-9258

AMERICAN TREE SER VICE Tree T rimming, landscaping,removal, hauling & stumps Most Palms $20.

Lic.Ins. Free Estimates Call Roy 373-6117 or Jimmy at 329-0213

1.55 ACRE LOT — 2 story barn, with loft horse stall, garage, water, electric, phone, $50,000. Call 561572-1782 WELLINGTON 2/2 VILLA FOR SALE — Move-in Ready! New paint, new carpet, new kitchen flooring, outside patio entryway.

Light & bright. Call Lorna (561) 3191292 Keller Williams Realty. $78,500.

COACH HOME FOR SALE IN WELLINGTON — 1869 Sq. Ft. Coach home on Lake Wellington.

3 BR,2BA, Loft screened porch.

Mayfair at Wellington, a 55+ gated community. End unit in pristine condition with many upgrades. Must see the only spectacular view of Lake Wellington. $325,000 Call 561-236-0420 HAVE REAL ESTATE T O SELL PLACE YOUR AD HERE CALL 793-3576

SATURDAY, MARCH 5TH 8am 4pm —Tools, household items, baby, children, ladies & mens clothes, fishing poles, diving gear, used electronics & Misc. Items. 117 Derby Lane in Royal Palm Beach

CHRISTIAN MALE COLLEGE STUDENT SEEKING — Part-Time work. Available Mon.Wed.Fri.Sat. Prefer office or medical environment. Quick learner, honest and reliable. Good Organizational skills $10 per hour. Ask for Stephen 561472-4687

CLASSIFIEDS GET RESULTS CALL 793-3576

HUNTINGTON LEARNING CENTER opening in Wellington needs CERTIFIED PART TIME TEACHERS new and experienced elementary & secondary teachers wanted to instruct K-12 in Reading, Math, SAT/ACT Exam Prep. No lesson plans or homework, paid training and flexible hours.

Please e-mail resume to marlenegiraud@hlcwellington.com or call 561-594-1920 and leave a message TEACHERS/TUTORS P/T SAT/ACT/FCAT- MATH Flexible Hrs. Great Pay. PB County Area Experience required Fax: 828-8128 E-mail tutorking@wpb3331980.com BUSY ACCOUNTING OFFICE — needs Secretary/computer literate permanent position. Please fax resume to 561-333-2680 VOLUNTEER NEEDED — 14 years and over for community service. Have fun with animals & kids 792-2666 WANTED 23 PEOPLE TO LOSE 5100 POUNDS! 1 LOST 20 LBS IN 5 WKS! 1-855-587-8449 SATURDAY HELP WANTED — Saturday morning help needed 7:30 until 1:00 working with horses and children. Must be 15 y.o. and have horse experience. Call 561-7585860 DRIVERS WANTED FULL/PART TIME — for Wellington Town-Car/ Wellington Cab. Retirees Welcome call 561-333-0181 WINDOW INSTALLERS WANTED Lic. & ins. subcontractors only. Top Pay. No Brokers. Call Matt 561714-8490 CLEANING PERSON NEEDED FOR PRIVATE HOME — in Loxahatchee. Must speak Spanish Part-Time 2 days per week. $9.50/ hr. References required. 644-8683

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